Halfway There!

Hello Friends!

So I just finished my second mini of the semester - it was on four weeks of material. It doesn't sound too bad until you try to study it and you realize how much information it actually is.

Officially halfway done the semester! These past six weeks have FLOWN by! I thought since I've been in class for six weeks I should share six things I've learned since I've gotten here:

1. Be Flexible. Everything isn't going to work out the way you want it to when you want it to. I'm used to getting things done in a North American lifestyle and it's not the same here. This is Dominica. Things move at a different pace and you just need to adjust to it.

2. Creepy crawlies will be everywhere. Two incidents for me in the past week. One day I woke up with ants all over my room. And actually last night I walked into my room after a weekend in the library to find a little lizard just chilling on my desk. If you know me - you know I'm not a huge bug fan...

3. You can't always get what you want. Literally. The grocery store near by isn't always fully stocked, they don't have a lot of the comforts from home. AKA Reeces Peanut Butter Cups or other sweets from home. 100% miss my Starbucks Blonde Roast coffee.

4. Just because I live on an Island does not mean I have a sick tan. I actually spend a ridiculous amount of time in the library. The only sun I get is going to and from the lecture hall to the library. Unfortunately you only see the beautiful pictures I see on my walks through campus. You don't see me staring into my cubicle for 14 hours.

5. Consistent water is very underrated back at home. For those of you reading back in North America or other parts of the world appreciate having water every night. It's a bit of a buzz kill to come home after spending the day on campus to not be able to shower or brush your teeth properly (this is why you prepare backup water in the fridge). Again refer back to lesson 1.

6. Friends will get you through anything. Close by or far away. I've met some amazing people while I've been down here and I don't think I would have been able to get through this without all of them. I think I'm still going a little crazy but I'd definitely crazier without them. And all of my friends back at home who constantly support me with loving messages always bring a smile to my face when I'm stressed out. Even though it may take me a while to respond I always love the messages I get.

Until next time,

Jen

Post Mini 2 relaxation

Always need to laugh

Sunset on campus

Rainbow post anatomy lab

Cotton Candy Clouds

21 Days to Relocation

Helloooooo friends!

Since I've written Mini 3 I have been going non-stop getting ready for the big move down to Dominica. Not only am I working full time (until the 19th) but I'm packing, organizing my visa application and most importantly trying to see everyone I care about before I leave.

I know that last task is impossible but I'm doing my best.

I honestly thought this day would never come. I've always had a part of me that wanted to travel and experience difference parts of the world but that time has never come - until now. I know it's going to be an adjustment, I won't have the same comforts as I do at home (bread is $15.00 - I'll be living without carbs) but it'll be an adventure.

Half of this adventure is figuring out what I'm going to need while I'm down there. I can't pack for this like I do vacations - the night before - it takes weeks of planning. Here's a rough list of things I'm bringing down:

- Paper, spiral note books, pens, pencils, highlighters, post its, apple chargers, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shorts, t-shirts, 1 sweater, socks, running shoes, birks, hiking boots, insect repellant, filtering water bottle, mosquito netting, canteens, sunscreen, hats, workout attire, summer dresses, peanut butter, nutella, crackers, granola bars, sheets, pillows, kleenex, toilet paper, aloe vera, coffee, french press, rain jacket, old textbooks

And that's all I can think of off the top of my head. As you can see I'm bringing everything down that I possibly can. Not only regular things to bring on a trip but also ALL of my schooling materials plus extra.

I'll be flying out January 1st at 6:25 am - here's to an amazing last few weeks in the homeland!

Jen

Medical School

Hey guys!

It's with great pleasure that I let you all know that I will be heading down to the Caribbean at the end of December to follow my dreams of becoming a doctor.

I've just gotten a little taste of it here and I'm sure it's going to be a lot different once I'm down on the island but I have to say I am more than excited to sink my teeth into the medical field and do what I've wanted to do for my whole life.

After going through all of this I feel like I have proven to myself that I can do it - and that if I put my mind to anything I will achieve it. I want all of you to remember that too.

I promise to keep you all posted along the way. Including my preparations for leaving while still here in Canada.

As I've said before it's going to be a wild ride - and I cannot wait for you all to tag along!

Jen

Top 5 Vacation Spots

With the Canadian long weekend being this weekend I thought I'd be festive and make a post of my top 5 vacation spots!

1. St. Barths

• It's a cute little island just off of St. Maarten and you can get there by ferry or by a tiny, little plane. All of their beaches are public so there are no limitations on any beach you can go to. All of the locals are very friendly and none of them will bother you to buy anything off of them. The island is definitely a place to go if you want to sit back and relax. Since it's so small there is not a huge night life or clubbing scene. BUT it is the safest island in the Caribbean.

2. Barcelona, Spain

• I don't even know where to begin with Barcelona. The culture, the beaches, the city, the people... all of it is just so beautiful. You will never run out of things to do in Barcelona - during the day or at night. Plus the food is out of this world. If you're looking for a place to keep you busy all day and all night Barcelona is the place to be. Even travelling around to different cities is easy with the transit system in Spain.

3. New York, New York

• There is something so very special about New York and I don't know how to place a finger on it. It's so busy and so chaotic, but it can also be so beautiful and serene. Another amazing place where you will never run out of things to do. Between shows, museums, food, historical land marks and shopping you will never stop going. I don't think I've ever walked so much in my life - and gotten so many blisters - but I didn't even mind because New York was something you just have to experience.

4. Las Vegas, Nevada

• Where I went for my 21st birthday. The city that never sleeps, sin city, whatever you want to call it... I'm in love with it. I strongly believe that if I were to be any city in the world I would be Vegas. What a fun, energetic, HOT, crazy place to be. You do things in Vegas you would never be able to do anywhere else. Everything is so extravagant and beautiful. All of the hotels, the strip, the shopping... everywhere you look is stunning.

5. Costa Rica

• Words can't describe the greenery in Costa Rica until you've been there. Everything is so beautiful and fresh - and delicious. The people are so friendly and the weather is hot, hot, hot. I went during the rainy season so trust me when I say it's called rainy season for a reason. It will rain every day. And there is no use bringing stuff to do your hair because it will just automatically go frizzy. This place is definitely more of an "au natural" kinda place. But I wouldn't change it for the world. The water is so warm and so blue - and the wildlife is so vast. It's beautiful and you can't appreciate it until you've seen it yourself.

There you have it! My top 5 vacation spots! 

Where are your favourite places to vacation?

- Jen

End of Summer

Hello!

I just got back from a PHENOMENAL trip to Las Vegas. I figured it would be a great way to end a long summer of studying and to celebrate finally turning 21. The weather was amazing, the food was great and the shopping was out of this world! It was basically my heaven on earth. I really like booking a trip or a weekend getaway at the end of a semester so I have something to look forward to. It keeps me sane during those busy semesters.

I realized while I was in Vegas that it was the first time I've ever been on the west coast! I've travelled all around Europe but I've never travelled west. So this was a big deal for me. I have always imagined what the west coast would be like but it exceeded my expectations and I am determined to go back and hopefully once I'm in med school try to get some residencies out there!

We did a lot of walking and shopping and went to a few shows. Our only issue was our flight home. We were delayed 8 hours so I didn't end up getting home until 4 am, when we were supposed to be back around 7 pm. But other than that this was the perfect ending to a rough summer.

Hopefully everyone has been doing well and are resting up before the semester starts or not getting too stressed by the beginning of the semester.

- Jen

Not Wanting to Study

MCAT Prep is coming to an end with my last day of classes tomorrow! I'm also finishing up with my major assignments for my online courses. It's kinda scary how quickly this summer has gone by. I feel like I've been studying the whole time!

Oh wait I have. I've got just over two weeks until the dreaded day of my MCAT and then a week later I have three online course exams... Call me crazy I know I am. So I'm not too sure how much I'll be posting in that time since my life will probably be even less exciting than it is now. So if I go AWOL you will know why.

I don't know about anywhere else in the world but it has been very rainy and cloudy at home which is not the best pick me up when you're trying to pump yourself up to study and not fall asleep on your books. So I'm working on being as positive as possible during this stressful time.

On a more exciting note, I got my courses all selected for the fall so I've already gone into prep mode for scheduling the semester in all three of my calendars (I know I'm a little OCD about this stuff). Figuring out voluneering, books, holidays... the whole nine yards. I like to start the semester running! Now that I've finished all those general science courses I needed for medical school I'm able to take Kinesiology courses that actually interest me. I'm taking anatomy of the central nervous system, injuries of work and sport, nutrition, biomechanical modeling of human movement and the psychology of sport. Sounds like it will be an interesting semester, hopefully not too heavy so I can spend some time on my medical school applications. If anyone wants to share what courses they're taking feel free to comment!

I've also been spending my time looking at different medical schools around the world and I wanted to see if anyone has any insight on places they're looking at, or study at because I am open to traveling before residency and settling down.

- Jen