and the answer is in..... I'll be in Denver for the summer!!!!!!!!
So... considering I got an email last week telling me my chance at getting this research position was basically zero, I've had a disappointing week. Wondering where to go from here, what to do, and dreading the awful, soul killing possibility of spending the summer in Ohio. And then, as I set in class today, compulsively checking my email, a subject heading "MSTAR UCLA" popped in my inbox. I've been accepted into the UCLA research program (geriatrics) and my worksite is in Denver, Colorado! Umm... considering I have some dearly loved friends there and thought it would be cool to live there, I'm pretty stoked :)
I guess things just work out sometimes.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
apathy.
To start, I know the irony that I'm commenting on this through the internet.
Is facebook the replacement for activism? Every day I get a "cause invitation." What does that mean? Does it mean you care, or do something about the cause? Does it mean you are involved or active or even know what you're supposedly "supporting"? I postulate that it's an apathetic approach to change in order to avoid having to do any work or risk anything. I think it's the lazy-man's way to feel better about oneself and to look better on paper without necessitating active involvement. Call this harsh, if you wish.
Is facebook the replacement for activism? Every day I get a "cause invitation." What does that mean? Does it mean you care, or do something about the cause? Does it mean you are involved or active or even know what you're supposedly "supporting"? I postulate that it's an apathetic approach to change in order to avoid having to do any work or risk anything. I think it's the lazy-man's way to feel better about oneself and to look better on paper without necessitating active involvement. Call this harsh, if you wish.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Politics Politics
Who knew that I'd fall in love with politics and policy??
I spent an incredibly long (in a good way :) ) 48 hours in Washington D.C. Sun/Mon. I went with 5 other students to AMA's Lobby Day. Here are the 4 of us girls that drove down Sunday morning!
We went sight-seeing through the whole mall in an hour and a half. You should be impressed.
And then we met up with Reshmi and Brent and after walking around the city for a couple of hours, went to see the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Which was sweet. And the middle-schoolers behind me were furious about how illegible the perfect calligraphy was. It made me laugh :)
After a ton of meetings, we went out for like a half hour with other AMAers. and Rathna and Brent decided to dance on the bar. For approximately 10 seconds. Note: both were completely sober :)
Then walked to Georgetown and saw the Kennedy Center. This is where our Nation's President was at the very time this picture was taken. So, we basically saw the President :)
Now that all the important stuff is out of the way :) The whole point of this weekend was to educate medical students and residents on how to lobby for healthcare related issues. Considering this is now President Obama's priority, it was a cool weekend to be there. We had different politicians and lobbyist etc. come and speak about lobbying and about healthcare reform. Then we went and lobbied. My first appointment was with Representative Sutton's (my district's Rep) staffer. It was actually quite enjoyable after I got over my initial jitters. Since I was the only one at Lobby Day from my district, I was by myself. But It was a good intro to lobbying and the political process for me. I also met with Senator Brown's staffer (along with several other Ohioans). Plus a tour of the supreme court and random networking with other medical students and residents. It was an incredibly exhilarating, yet exhausting weekend. And it piqued my interest in politics even more.
This is all 6 of us after the meetings with the senators.
I spent an incredibly long (in a good way :) ) 48 hours in Washington D.C. Sun/Mon. I went with 5 other students to AMA's Lobby Day. Here are the 4 of us girls that drove down Sunday morning!
We went sight-seeing through the whole mall in an hour and a half. You should be impressed.
And then we met up with Reshmi and Brent and after walking around the city for a couple of hours, went to see the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Which was sweet. And the middle-schoolers behind me were furious about how illegible the perfect calligraphy was. It made me laugh :)
After a ton of meetings, we went out for like a half hour with other AMAers. and Rathna and Brent decided to dance on the bar. For approximately 10 seconds. Note: both were completely sober :)
Then walked to Georgetown and saw the Kennedy Center. This is where our Nation's President was at the very time this picture was taken. So, we basically saw the President :)
Now that all the important stuff is out of the way :) The whole point of this weekend was to educate medical students and residents on how to lobby for healthcare related issues. Considering this is now President Obama's priority, it was a cool weekend to be there. We had different politicians and lobbyist etc. come and speak about lobbying and about healthcare reform. Then we went and lobbied. My first appointment was with Representative Sutton's (my district's Rep) staffer. It was actually quite enjoyable after I got over my initial jitters. Since I was the only one at Lobby Day from my district, I was by myself. But It was a good intro to lobbying and the political process for me. I also met with Senator Brown's staffer (along with several other Ohioans). Plus a tour of the supreme court and random networking with other medical students and residents. It was an incredibly exhilarating, yet exhausting weekend. And it piqued my interest in politics even more.
This is all 6 of us after the meetings with the senators.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
I wouldn't wish back college...
Today I gave tours for high school students applying to the BS/MD program at my school. They'll get their B.S. in 2-3 years, and then matriculate to good old NEOUCOM. My first tour was unique--I had two students with no families. When parents are around, the kids just walk silently and don't ask questions and just seem terrified. but the tour really was us walking in a circle talking about the college decision. I don't know why I love talking through decisions with people, but it was refreshing to be able to give students information that will actually help them make a decision--not to sell them on a school, but to talk them through what is best for them. One guy made the point "So basically, you endure college for medical school?" While this wasn't at all the point I wanted to convey, and quickly re-directed the conversation. But it had an ounce of truth. Even as I've been hanging out and studying more at University of Akron, I've realized how much I really don't miss undergrad. In reality, the coursework was easier. But there was a level of drama that doesn't hold up in med school. The disjointed interests and classes were more stressful that the exponentially more difficult material I've had in the last 6 months. I finally feel like I have some continuity and 'harmony' in my life.
I've also come to the question "What would I do with myself if I didn't have so much studying to do?" Given, I had 15 months with no school and I fared tolerably well :) But I can't imagine my life without a perpetual and complete learning. I can't imagine a time in my life where I'll be content with what I know and what I understand. I desire to be well rounded and have a variety of interests, and I think i'm managing this pretty well, but more than anything I love being challenged and pushed to the core of my being. To be presented with a challenge and rising to meet it gives me a thrill that is unparalleled.
I've also come to the question "What would I do with myself if I didn't have so much studying to do?" Given, I had 15 months with no school and I fared tolerably well :) But I can't imagine my life without a perpetual and complete learning. I can't imagine a time in my life where I'll be content with what I know and what I understand. I desire to be well rounded and have a variety of interests, and I think i'm managing this pretty well, but more than anything I love being challenged and pushed to the core of my being. To be presented with a challenge and rising to meet it gives me a thrill that is unparalleled.
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