Break

I haven't posted in a while but that's because I vowed to stay off my laptop as much as possible when I was on break at home. I have a little less than a week before I go back to Saba for round 3. I am a little excited, but still worn out and exhausted from last semester.

Who ever thought 2 week breaks would be enough were CRAZY!!!

Home is amazing! It's been great to see everyone and hang out with family and friends. Even though it feels like I've spent my break running around trying to make time for everyone, I've squeezed in a little down time to myself :) and have done some exciting things like camping and going to see Billy Elliot the Musical with a special someone.

Will post some pictures and lots more when I next open my laptop which will hopefully be next week when I am on Saba.

I will stick to reading books and DIY projects for the remainder of my break!

Taking Advantage

Always take advantage of where you are and who you are with. You will miss it when you leave it behind.

As much as this island has made my life more difficult, I can never say I hate it. I am always surrounded by beautiful waters and great weather (most of the time). Living here has always kept me on my toes... it hasn't rained in a couple of days, will I have enough water tonight? it looks like its going to be a stormy night, hope the electricity is still on in the morning! or dealing with hurricane warnings.

Thoughts like this never crossed my mind when I was living back home; makes for an interesting experience nonetheless -- except that when the electricity goes out, you cannot use your water because it is pumped electrically. Not fun when you have a presentation that same day and you need to shower with bottles of water. True story. Happened to a friend :)

So last weekend I took some time to calm down, de-stress and take advantage. A new friend and I went to hike the Sulfur Mine Trail. Here are some pics we took along the way! Great start to a saturday morning.

so green! still don't know what type of lizard it is. Anyone?

Beginning of the sulfur mine. Saba actually exported sulfur back in the early 1900s.

before climbing a massive 

hill so we can hitch a ride back home

the view was spectacular

PS. the new blog header is a panoramic pic taken during this hike. amazing.

2 weeks.

I will be home in 2 weeks.
I will have completed semester 2 of my basic sciences in 2 weeks.
... sigh... just 2 weeks.

Now that I think of it, it went by rather quickly. But quickly doesn't mean it was easy. Who am I kidding? it was one of the hardest things I've ever been through! I don't want to scare anyone who is keen on coming to medical school but I am realistic. (It is medical school after all. If it was easy everyone would get in and become a doctor). In the end, it's a unique and amazing ride.

On wednesday night a group of us got together and went to a 'fancy' restaurant on the island called Eden. It was actually an amazing night. Great food with good company and a glass of wine made the evening just perfect. It felt like we were back in the real (social) world - even if it was only for a couple of hours. We laughed until we cried and then joked that our face muscles weren't used to this much change in expression since studying only leaves you with one great look: 'the blank stare'. You know, the one where you are trying so hard to understand what the prof is saying that you just look like a complete idiot for starring at him so long without blinking. Haha, it was pretty funny and great to be surrounded by people from all walks of life who are going through the exact same thing as you. Being able to relate to someone has helped me get through some tough times on Saba... especially when you are not near your family and close friends.

Getting to know my classmates has pushed me into going back to some old habits - like fuelling my curiosity, getting inspired, finding new interests and creating dreams of what I want to accomplish in life. I have come across some fantastic sites and blogs that inspired me to create a page where I can express and continue to explore my MANY interests and hobbies!
So keep a look out for a new page on the blog which will essentially act like a side blog! Really excited to be starting this and I look forward to your feedback.

(I wil obviously continue to post about Saba and medical school)
Oh, 4th set of exams were difficult and caused our class size to decrease even more which is really sad to see. Fortunately, I survived and am really excited to be moving on to third semester (neurology, immunology, microbiology, psychology and ethics).

The study diet.

Weekend before block 4 exams.

My diet and eating habits have been flushed down the drain.... Tea and chocolate is what studying is about. You have to enjoy it somehow right?

Promised myself I will run extra hard next week. For now enjoying the guilty pleasures of milk chocolate with almonds in the middle :)

Twenty Three. Bonfire Weekend.

Twas a memorable birthday weekend. A bunch of us headed down a rocky trail - lit by the full moon and scattered flashlights - to make a bonfire by the waterfront. It was a secluded, peaceful and gorgeous view; but most of all it was away from school! Such a nice way to celebrate with so many friends. Truly grateful to those who made it (and to those who tried to find the trail... sorry!)

Productive weekend? not so much. Starting strong tomorrow for the last haul of 2nd semester.
Let's go energy and motivation!
T-minus 3.5 weeks.

Grand Rounds.

Studying in a caribbean medical school has its down falls. I think the biggest one is the lack of exposure to patient-doctor interaction and the hospital setting. The local hospital acts as our training resource in our last semester on the island, but its rarely enough (or so I've heard). To accommodate this, Saba is really trying to integrate as many opportunities for students as possible. On sunday, one of the 5th semester Physical Diagnosis professors - along with 4th semester students - organized 3 mock scenarios presented in a grand-round manner that residents, interns and medical students participate in as part of their integrated training. I thought it was really well done and explained. The professor would allow the students to act out a set problem and stop them in the middle to discuss and open up questions to the audience of what you should be looking for with the given information.
Personally, I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of information that was linking together from various classes. BUT it really was such an interesting experience to witness. At least it showed that our studying really has a purpose in the long run! I'm hoping they keep these 'mock grand rounds' a tradition from now on as many students found it useful ... or at least interesting!

On a different note, I wanted to address my last post. As I received a comment about it, I realized that for  the incoming students it may have come off a little scary to say that half our class failed the 3rd block. Although very true, that block is known to be one of the hardest and most stressful in all 5 semesters. With that said, Saba is known to have a high attrition rate and I know some people are influenced by that when deciding to come here. In my opinion, you came here to study and if you get through the Saba curriculum you WILL be well prepared for the USMLE step 1. Our results on the test are consistently great - I know that recently one student scored a 260 (which is amazing!!)
This just shows that the hard work you put into getting through the Saba classes will be worth it in the end as you are working to set your career in the right path... at least that's how I look at it.

In terms of how to prepare... get yourself mentally ready for TONS of studying. I wouldn't recommend starting ahead of time because you have sufficient time to adjust and learn the material like everyone else did. Enjoy the time you have at home, spend it with friends and family because you will be reducing that communication time once you reach the island. So relax and do anything but school work while you have the chance! :)

(Saba policy on failing a course: 1 course = academic probation. You will have to repeat that course. I think failing more than 1 requires the student to withdraw from the program. Although your best bet is to talk to academic advisors about this matter - I've heard they are pretty good in terms of dealing with personal matters.)

that's it, I'm moving on.

Needless to say, the third blocks of exams in 2nd semester are the worst. Too much material in too little time, along with the tests being difficult and testing the little details which you thought were not important given the amount of material. I was warned by friends from upper semesters so I studied like I've never studied before! I actually didn't leave my apartment from Friday afternoon after classes until monday morning (the day of 3 exams!). I admit I was scared and nervous... and then disappointed when I didn't see the results I wanted. It felt like I studied for nothing! BUT my whole class was in the same boat. Half the class failed genetics and biochemistry (a fail is below a 75). So I guess that's supposed to make me feel better - but not really. I set my standards high to begin with so that I work harder to get where I want to be. This definitely didn't happen this block...

I was devastated after exam #3 (physiology). I wanted to curl up and just forget about it. Easier said than done. Couldn't nap, couldn't study for the exam the next day; I couldn't do anything but think of what happened. I think we all get to this point at one time or another. You know, the one where all you want to do is hide from the world and eat (or whatever you do that makes you feel better). Unfortunately medical school doesn't give you time to recuperate. We had an epidemiology exam the next day along with 2 classes that started teaching new material. 

So what did I learn? I think I learned how to move on. Pick up the shattered pieces of disappointment and anger and keep going. I actually went to the gym and had one of the hardest workouts ever. Ran longer, lifted more weights than usual, did more reps of everything. I could barely walk out of the gym but it I felt better afterwards. I slept like a baby and got to de-stress... even though I took it out on my own body. That's okay, right?

well, that's it. I'm moving on from the nightmare of semester 3, block 3.

PS. even with this disaster, I survived all three exams which puts me in a good place for the end of the semester. I can safely assume that I will be moving on to 3rd semester :) (but let's not jinx it!)

The little things... and other ramblings

I'm sorry I haven't been so good at posting this semester but they are really working us to the bone! It's block weekend once again. #3. This one is supposed the be the hardest of the semester and they weren't kidding! I haven't even had time to go for my regular runs this week. 

Studying and class = sleep deprivation! Meaning naps ruled over running this block (which is VERY rare if you know me!).

Anyways, this post is a little all over the place but I wanted to share something about the little things in life; the ones that make your day. Living away from home really made me appreciate some things a lot more. For a healthy-conscious person I'd never thought I would see the day when getting a free donut would make my day. But it happened today! yep. I was walking through a rain created river down the hill, all wet and sticky from the humidity and decided to go to the student coffee shop for some snacks. Since it's friday and they were closing soon he decided to through in a free donut with my purchase of muffins :) -- yes I know I really have to run my a** off next week, but it was totally worth it!.

I'm hoping this is a sign that the weekend will go well...I need it to go well as this is what I will be looking at for physiology. 

YOU try to figure it out - let me know when you do! (by the way, this is only ONE of the 20 slide reviews. (Trust me the others are just as confusing)

On a good note, I am officially a certified open water scuba diver :) Last saturday's dives were amazing. We went to a new reef this time. Saw some sting rays, parrot fish and spotted puffer fish! I'm hoping I can get an underwater case for my camera so I can post how gorgeous it was. For now, you are going to have to settle with our group photo! This is us and our 2 awesome scuba guides. 

PS. Happy Canada Day!! ... or Happy block weekend to those who are writing with me next week. really wish I was at the cottage celebrating rather than studying. Okay. I will suck it up, stop complaining and get back to work!

Study, Study, Scuba!!... Study, Study

Scuba diving was amazing!! I don't have much time to write tonight but I thought I would post some pictures tonight and tell you all about it when I become fully certified on Saturday! I can't wait to go back... only way I have gotten off the island and its a wonderful feeling to get away from school :)

with no more anticipation, here they are... it was an amazing day! I'm hoping to get a water proof case for next semester so I can capture the amazing world under water. Did I mention I kneeled on the bottom of the Caribbean Sea and was at an arm length from nurse sharks?! Incredible experience. So if you ever have the chance DON'T hesitate!  Do it!

Part of the gang hitching a ride down to the dock after a half day training session in a freezing cold pool! We couldn't wait to get into the warm caribbean water.

back of the truck

My scuba diving buddy and I :) We could also become puzzle buddies in the near future! Yes, we were both those nerds that LOVED puzzles as a kid. Had the sticky roll-up mat and everything. Seriously.

Scuba gear ready to go

'The Rock' that I live on... 1 more year.

Scuba buddies! Right before our first dive.

Back to the books - too soon!

One more block over and another one began. The scheduling for second semester, well, sucks! We’ve had 4 exams and 2 new lectures within the last 30 hours. 3 exams in one day and then go home to study for the fourth. Wake up at 8am for a new lecture in biochemistry, take exam at 11-12, lunch for 45min and go back for a 2 hour lecture in physiology!

Apparently this next section is the hardest of the 5 from second semester. We are learning renal and respiratory physiology in 2.5 weeks plus THIS for biochemistry!

Or at least this is what our yesterday's lecture opened up with! remind me again why I want to do this?!

Guess I should be getting ready for lots and lots of "fun"!

But all joking aside, I am super excited about the coming weekend. As I briefly mentioned before, the medical students hold an annual health fair for the community where we get a chance to interact with the locals and practice simple skills like taking blood pressure and administering/reading ECGs. I think it will be a great way to get some hands on experience and to do something different for a change.

AND Sunday I will be starting my scuba diving certification J Can’t wait! The first half of the day will be in a pool learning simple techniques/ procedures and after lunch we have 2 open water dives scheduled.

Look forward to some pictures being uploaded from both events.