Soccer and Fun!

Yesterday was soccer day...we had about 20 people show up, so we played with three teams....each game went to one goal and then the winning team stayed on! My team won 3 in a row at one point!! We lost the last one though :( It was so much fun, and I got a really good work out from it. PLUS, I recruited another girl from my class to play, which was nice...

Tonight it Sabaoke. I am so pumped!..... if anyone sees this post before tonight, give me some suggestions for what to sing! I have a few idea's.... And, I will post some pics tomorrow :)

Also, as a follow up to my last post, you will all be happy to know that 8-11 pm is my library time again...meaning that I have been keeping up with all the material, and hopefully this block will go really well!!

Now the real learning begins...

So, I know most of my readers know me really well... You all know I have a pretty good work ethic, and I always do my best to do well... I have pretty high goals for myself, but I almost always reach them..

WELL, it seems all the upper semester students I talk to were right.... And, let's just say my block 2 exams did not go as well as planned. I am blaming it partly on the fact that I barely slept the night before the exam (there was a really loud storm), partly on the fact that I studied all wrong (learned general ideas, but not all the details), and partly on the fact that I DID NOT read the questions carefully....

Anatomy was alright...and I know it was  hard block, so "alright" was all I was striving for...but Histology kicked my ass (there is really no nicer way to say it)

In block 2, I worked hard, but I know I wasn't working as hard or as smart as I should have.... so I like to take this mini failure as a learning experience. One thing I am definitely learning is how to study. For example, when I have anatomy lecture in the morning, I really need to take the lab in the afternoon to solidify everything I learned. Secondly, I need to review things BEFORE class, so that I already have a general idea of what is going on.. that way in class I can learn all about the details. And thirdly, I need to review histology EVER NIGHT...IN DETAIL... and not let myself get even a little bit behind.

SO...on a happier note...for all you readers back home that want to know about the rest of my life-- the weather here for the past 2 days has been horrid! it has pretty much been raining constantly with torrential downpours and thunder in between.
Yesterday after the exam, some of the guys here had a "frat party" at their dorm...so I actually got to get dressed up and have some fun! it was so nice being ablet o relax for a day. Then I went up to windwardside for dinner! (I love it when I get to leave the bottom...it gets so boring down here!)
I was planning on hiking up to the sulfur mines...but unfortunately the weather did not permit it! And, after our one day of relaxation, I had 6 hours of class today.... :(... so it's time to hit the books again!!!

Also, on Friday I am going to look at a place to live in next semester... the house is in a place called booby hill...which has an amazing view! I am really exited about it!

OK, that's all for now..I am going over to my friend Brandon's place, cause he is making me and Jaclyn dinner.... (yey!) and then we are going to hit the library (cause that's what all the cool kids do!)

Exam week!

So, it is officially one week till my block 2 exams.
I decided that this week, I need to actually use the library, since studying at home often leads to distractions....

My general plan is to go to the library from 1-3, then lab from 3-5, then gym, dinner, and library again from 8-11..

We covered so much material in this block! It is nuts..and I am starting to feel a little behind........

Wish me luck!

1 month down, 19 to go....

So, I have now officially been on the island for a month, and I decided that it has been the most productive month of my life.... this is what I have accomplished:

1) I learned the names, origin, insertion, innervation, action, and blood supply of all the muscles in the upper and lower limbs, as well as the names and symptoms of some common conditions

2) I learned about different types of epithelial cells, blood cells, bone cells, including what they contain, what they do, and how to distinguish them

3) I learned about how an embryo develops from a single cell to the point that limbs begin to form

4) I have climbed a mountain

5) I have gone on a night dive, and saw sharks (that's 2 things off my bucket list in one shot!)

6) I learned how to make green curry (it was delicious, and also something that I have wanted to try to make for a while)

7) I ate fresh mango's right off of the tree... and bought banana's that I had to let ripen (not something we normally do at home)

8) I have made >100 new friends

9) I got back into some good habits that I had lost, including being active (going to the gym, playing sports), and being a more spiritual person

10) I (so far) have managed to keep in touch with friends and family back home

11) I have learned about hyperbaric chambers, and things that they can be used for other than decompression sickness

12) I have "learned" about the spinal cord (although I need to work on this a little more.. it is confusing..)

If the next 19 months, and the 20 after that continue to be this productive, I will be so amazed! We really are remarkable creatures.... the potential of the human brain and body is so incredibly miraculous... I hope my accomplishments will inspire all of you to do great things with your lives too!!

PS: Moving to this island has been the best decision of my life..I feel like this island was literally made for me..I love it so much here.. it's so beautiful, everyone is so great, and the diving is incredible!! BUT, I miss all of you back home so much! love you allllllllll

Block I is over! 4 more to go...

Hello everyone,

It seems like forever since I posted, but it has been a really long week. Monday and yesterday we had our first set of block exams, which was really stressful for everyone. Especially because we had no idea how to study for them!

From last Thursday or so on I spent every night going to the lab, looking at the cadavers, learning to identify structures, and then coming home and studying. There were a few opportunities for active study  breaks though. I say active, because even on breaks me and my friends would discuss anatomy and histology, and ask each other questions.

 On Saturday night, me and a friend hitchhiked over to Windwardside and went to Saba Treasures for dinner. I got a delicious pizza. But that was only a temporary break. After dinner, we went to another classmates house that lives up there and had some dessert (see my food blog for details, it was amazing) http://sbkfoodblog.blogspot.com/. He had made a 50 questions practice test for us.

The first exam was a lab exam on Monday. There were 25 things pinned or marked in the lab, and each person had 1 minute at each station to answer a few questions about the tagged structure. It was kind of fun, but because it counts for 40% of our test mark, it was a lot of pressure. I think I did OK, but I haven't actually seen my grade yet.

Then Tuesday we had 2 MC exams. I passed, so I figured I could reward myself with some fun. A group of about 8 people went down to cove bay (near the airport) to go snorkeling. Unfortunately it was really surgey and not very safe.... A friend of mine got pinned into a rock, and I am pretty sure he got some corral in his hand... However, there were some really amazing fish (even in the shallows).

On the way home I bought some Haagen Daz ice cream (only $6.50 for a bucket or it). I had a nice night too.... we got a frozen pizza and cooked it in a friends oven (I don't have an oven), and then randomly picked a movie to watch.... John Q. I had no idea what it was about, but it was very relevant. It was pretty much about ethics surrounding the american health care system. It definitely gave me a lot to think about...

Next week, I am going on my first even night dive. I am so excited! Wish me luck!!!

some pictures!

The amazing sunset from my dorm...i try to go outside every night around 7 to enjoy it!

Me and my roomies before the white coat ceremony

Me and my roomies after the white coat ceremony!!!

me and some friends on campus!

These are all from the night of the white coat ceremony.. I will add some more soon!

White Coat Ceremony!

Last night was the “White Coat Ceremony”, and it finally made everything feel real! We all had to recite an oath, which basically just said that we would be professional in all aspects of our lives (aka no more doing questionably unethical things, or drinking too much and acting stupid in public… or anything that you wouldn’t want your doctor to do) and then we had our professors put white coats on us. After that we met with our mentors.  My mentor was pretty sweet! She was from Unionville and went to Western (small world?). I wonder if they did that on purpose. It was so nice to talk to an upper semester student who has been through what I am going through. Yesterday was definitely the confidence boost that I needed. Basically what I learned is I only got accepted here because they think I can pass, so I need to work really hard to not let anyone down, but I definitely think I can do it!

After all the ceremonial stuff, there was a “welcome back” party for the entire school at this bar called “tebejebis” (I think…I have only heard it aid and have no idea how to spell it). It was essencially the “club district” of the Bottom (where I live). It was a big yard that felt like someones backyard with a gazebo/ bar and a DJ. We had a lot of fun. Most of my class came out and we had a few drinks and danced and got to know each other as well as upper semester students. I thought it was a little ironic that we were sent out drinking right after reciting the oath, but no one got very drunk or did anything stupid.

Because of all of the celebrations, I took the night off of studying, but then today I got up at 8 so that I could review all of my histology material before the soccer tournament (which starts at 11:30!)

I have also been going to the gym for the past few days (and my upper limbs are feeling it!) but I figured I needed to do something to counter all the extra muscle mass in my legs from walking up the hill every day! I am pretty much the only girl in there ever time, so its kind of weird, but I figure everyone is so into their own workout that no one really knows what I’m doing anyways. (let’s hope)

We still haven’t gotten the cadavers because of the new dutch customs, but they should be here on Monday, and I think the labs will be so helpful to visualize all the things that I have learned so far.

My general idea so far:

The island is beautiful, the people are great (all of my classmates are friendly and helpful, the profs really know their stuff, seem very approachable, and even make jokes and are very interactive to keep everyone interested in class, and the locals that I have met are so welcoming as well, as long as your treat them with respect which they deserve, as we are their guests here), the workload is a lot, but it is manageable if you study smart, and there is definitely still time to have a little fun in between. I feel happier and healthier than I have been in a while (keeping my brain and body active) Next week we have our first block exams, so let’s see if I still feel the same after that. Last year, I heard 80% of the class failed the first anatomy exam (but only 3 failed the course). It takes some time to get used to the questions, whicha re not strait forward at all. Wish me luck!

my routine (2 days and i already fell into one)

5:30am- wake up, shower, dress
6:00am- breakfast, review notes from night before
7:00am- get to class, surf the internet for a little
8:00am- class starts
12:00pm- lunch
1:00pm- lab (although we don't have cadavers yet)
3:00pm- more class on Tues. and Wed.
5:00pm- break (I usually go for a walk or pick up groceries, which is quite a work out as there are ove 100 steps to get up to my dorm, and i always break a sweat)
6:00pm- dinner
7:00pm- study
8:00pm- break (go down to campus for internet use)
9:00pm- study
10:00pm get ready for bed
10:30-11:30, study
11:30, bed time!

I think it works pretty well......wish me luck!
Also if you ever want to talk to me, around 8:00pm is probably the best time.

Also, our cadavers are currently held up at the boarder, so we haven't actually started lab yet. Instead we have been having double lecture, which means I have had like 8 hours of lecture a day. It is a lot of information, but definitely manageable!

Tata

Sara

Quick update + photo

Here's a quick one,

Class will start in around 45 minutes. I printed off my lecture notes yesterday (over 50 pages of 6 slides per page....it is going to be a long morning!)

At lunch we are going to try to order internet for our quad, but we only have 45 minutes to get there, order internet, AND eat lunch and change into our scrubs for anatomy lab, so it may not work so well.

Also, this morning there was a cockroach in our quad, and it freaked my roommates out a little bit. I tried to get it out of the room, but it was pretty fast and I failed. Hopefully we won't see too many more of those, but I know that wish is pretty feeble. They will be everywhere!!

I found out that there is an extra class I can take on Tuesday afternoons in Hyperbaric medicine and dive related injuries. I totally want to do it, but I am not 100% sure I can handle the added work load. I think I will go to class today and make a decision after that.

Wish me luck!

This pic is from when me and a few guys hiked back from Windwardside. It took 15 minutes to upload, so I give up on putting more up for now.

SCUBA

Today is my last free day before classes start, and I definitely made the most of it. Me and 3 guys from Matthew’s dorm went SCUBA diving! A cal agreed to pick us up and drop us at the port before work, so we got a free ride down. It was the most amazing dive I have ever been on. The water was so clear, even though we were around 18m deep the whole time. Unfortunately, I was too scared to bring my camera that deep (I didn’t want to break it), but a few guys who snorkeled instead of diving got some great pics (to be posted when I am on reliable internet, and not just a Wifi card).

 Apparently turtles and reef sharks are common in the area, but I didn’t see any. I saw a ton of fish. I recognized a lot of them from Madagascar. There weer damsels and tobies and sergeant fish. My highlight was the biggest parrot fish I have ever seen in my life (probably about 18 inches long, but its hard to tell under water, so I could be exaggerating).

When we finished the dive, we decided to hitchhike back. We started walking up the hill. What’s worse than walking up the hill? Carrying dive equipment up the hill in the pouring rain in flip flop sandals. So what did we do? Naturally, we hitched a ride with the local police in the back of their truck (pictures to come).

Its now around 2:00 and I am going to eat, shower, have some lunch, and then head up to Windwardside to hang out and have some dinner before classes start tomorrow. You can expect not to hear from me for a while, cause I hear the first 2-3 weeks of block 1 are killer intense.

My day made me think of Madagascar, and I miss all my friends from Reef Dr. SOOOOO much!!!!

Arrival!

First day on the island

I don't have internet yet, as this weekend is a long weekend (Queen's birthday on Monday), and the internet/phone company is closed until Tuesday...however, I met my roomies (they are all amazing), went grocery shopping (a little pricey, and the walk back is steep, but they have a pretty good selsction), and toured the island (it's just as amazing as it looks in the pictures). We also tried to climb mount scenery. Only my dad and Chris made it the whole way (I had to come down to meet my roomies at 1:00, but they didn't get back down till 3...and we left at 9 am!)

Anyways, time for lunch now..but I will post more regularly when I have internet!

Almost there..

Hello everyone,

I leave the country in two days... and I think this is the first time I have actually felt a little bit nervous about going away. I think it's because I will be gone for soo long! I am definitely ready to go though. I am all packed (I filled 4 full luggage's, right to the weight limit. Thank goodness my entire family will be coming with me to move me in!) And, my cold is almost gone, so I should be in tip top shape by the time I head out on Tuesday.

I realize I said this blog would be about my travels, but since I am leaving home, I just wanted to make a little list of some things I will really miss:

1) My family (the comfort of knowing my mom and dad are always right there to help me if i need it, my "intellectual debates" with my brothers, and all the home cooked meals. I know they will be home and thinking of me, but it isn't the same as having them close by). It's not just my direct family, but also all my cousins that live near by (some even on the same street). I will miss the weekly visits/ dinner/ card games, sports on the street (although I often don't play), and the swimming and BBQ's in the summer months!

2) My friends (probably most of you who are reading this now.... I am going to be gone or a long time, and I know so much will change in all of your lives in that time. I'm not really sure how much time I will have to keep in touch over the next 3 years, but I really hope we manage, and I hope that when I get back we can all pick up right where we left off!)

3) The little ones. This week I spent a lot of time visiting loved ones before leaving, so I got to see all of my cousins, and one of them has 3 kids. They are so adorable, and I love playing with children.... But it's back to university, and my past experience is that there are usually no kids around university campus's. Plus, when I get back permanently, the baby will be like 2 or 3 years old! It's amazing how fast they grow!

4) As I said last week, family channel! I am not very big on TV, but there is nothing like a suite life of zack and cody marathon on a sick day..lol

5) Snow.... (I'll admit it). As much as I hate winter, I know I will miss that beautiful white powder... no more tobogganing, skating, snowboarding, etc...

BUT, I know I will have so many amazing new friends and hobbies (like SCUBA diving?)....and I'm sure the time will fly by, since I will be spending most of it studying anyways. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends and famly! Thanks for everything! And know that you are all so appreciated.

OK, that is enough sappy stuff, now for a fun travel fact about the island I am moving to (straight from the most reputable source I know, wikipedia):

In 1963 the island built a 400 metre landing strip for easier trips to the island using aircraft: Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. This landing strip is reputed to be the shortest commercial runway in the world, and as such, only three models of airplane are able to land there regularly. Consistent air service from Sint Maarten and Saint Eustatius is available through Windward Islands Airways (Winair). The small airport comes equipped with a fire station and an air control tower.

So there you have it....possibly the shortest runway in the world!

One week to go!

I have a week before I leave, and I am pretty much all packed. Which means I will be spending a lot of the next week just relaxing, and visiting friends and family (which is awesome). The only problem is, I am sick :(. My throat is all swollen, and I am congested.......I just hope it goes away before I fly out! I'll keep you all  posted!

Starting a new part of life...

So, as you all know, I am one of the luckiest girls in the world....

Since I was 16 I have travelled to over 15 countries... sometimes on my own, and sometimes with a group of family or friends.... but no matter where I go or how I get there, there is one thing that is always true: Traveling is the best way to meet people, make new friends, and enjoy the wonders that our world has to offer.

Yesterday, I came to another realization, which is that one of the reasons I love traveling so much is that I have so many amazing friends and family back home that I know will miss me... and that I know will still be there and love me when I get back. (or at least I hope...lol)

The motto I live by has always been to try everything else; the theory being: "why not? what's the worst that can happen?"... and I finally decided that I should start a blog to share my adventures! So I will do my best to keep you updated on my current adventures, and I may even retro-blog and share some stories from the past.

As many of you know, in 9 days time I will be leaving my home of Richmond Hill Ontario, to study medicine at Saba University School of Medicine, so for the next 20 months or so, this will be my new home:

Many of my friends have asked me to e-mail to keep in touch, so I will do my best to do that... because it will be hard to keep up with everyone, please read/ comment on my blog. It will be the easiest way to keep in touch with everyone!

So, Enjoy!