When Can We Do This Again?

Total Volunteer Hour for Spring Semester: 38.5 hrs


Volunteer Hours for This Month
04/05/2015      Dr. Mielke soil collection                                                                1 hr
04/18/2015      New Orleans Medical Reserve Corp                                               6 hrs
                        (volunteer actor patients for emergency evacuation practice)
04/20/2015      St Joseph's Hospice Bereavement Team                                         3 hrs

When Can I See You Again, by Owl City

As the program is coming to an end I start to wonder what will happen to all of us in the next few years. One thing I know for sure is that I don't want to forget what had happened and I sure don't want to lose contact with the friends I have made here.

"So let me know before I wave goodbye,
When can I see you again?
When can we do this again?"

While we venture forth from here to whichever medical school (,pharmacy school, and other endeavors) we end up, we are sure to come across some difficult times whether academically or just life in general. For times like those, I want to stress that we need to keep our focus on the end goal and not get bogged down or jaded along the way.

"Look all around at all the mountains you haven't climbed
It's just a matter of time, before we learn how to fly."

"Don't close your eyes 'cause your future is ready to shine
It's just a matter of time, before we learn how to fly."

I will hold dear the memories made here at Tulane University and this program. The experience has been invaluable as I gained insight into what medical school education would entail and what effective interpersonal communication looks like.

"So let me know before I wave goodbye,
When can I see you again?
When can we do this again?"

Nature Lover's Paradise

Louisiana is not just a Sportsman's Paradise, it's also a nature lover's paradise. I'm not just talking about the famous airboat swamp tours here that shows off the alligators around the coast lines, although watching an alligator leap out of water for marshmallow is quite a sight.

When my classmates and I went to Fontainbleau State Park a few months ago, I ran into a herd of seven deers just walking around the camp ground. They were simply chilling right outside the bathroom building. I followed them and got so close to one of the deers I could have sworn I felt droplets hit my arm when the deer sneezed.

One deer actually started running towards me as I was following the herd. She was less than ten yards from me when one of my classmates called me and my phone started vibrating. She must have heard my phone vibrating in my jacket because she looked over in my direction even as her legs were still carrying her closer to me. Then she halted the best she could and turned around in a panic when she finally realized how close she had gotten to a human. I've never been hunting before but if that was any indication I think I'm pretty set.

Even Lafraniere Park down the street from my apartment has amazing wildlife. In less than five miles from my apartment, I found fat squirrels, chickens that look like shih tzu, giant Canadian geese, and the much misunderstood nutrias.

On this particular day, I had gone to Lafraniere Park with a bag of cat food to feed the ducks as according to the Internet feeding ducks bread isn't good for their health. The wise Internet suggested cat food, corn feed, turtle food, or koi food. I decided to use cat food since I already had some available. The ducks were excited that they were getting something tastier than plain bread. My bag of cat food went like hot cakes. I wasn't sure if the ducks or I had more fun. When I got home I wanted to fill up my zip lock bag with more cat food to go feed the ducks again the next day after class. I pulled out the cat food bag and set it on the counter. That was when I saw the little print under the brand name, "This grain-free wholesome cat food is made from chicken & duck meal".... Oops. I guess what the ducks didn't know won't kill them. 

Volunteer Hours 

03/08/2015    St Joseph's Hospice/Covenant Home    2 hrs

03/12/2015    St Joseph's Hospice                               2 hrs

Skydiving

Once in awhile I get the urge to release the inner daredevil, or maybe the stress of my MCAT is getting the best of me. Whatever the reason, one day I woke up and decided I want to try skydiving. I have always told people that I wanted to try it, but just like any other crazy things (like wanting to shave my head) that come out of my mouth these things usually don't happen.

On this particularly gorgeous day I woke up to a blank calendar. I had no obligations and no responsibilities to do anything or be anywhere. So I decided that this was going to be the day. I hopped in my car, put on the GPS, and I was on my way before my mind had a moment to register the fear. I didn't tell anyone what I was doing. There was something liberating about that.

The drive to SkydiveNawlins was pleasant. I had my breakfast in my lap, there was no traffic on the road and the sky was gorgeous. The staff at the skydive facility were extraordinarily friendly. I couldn't tell if that was because of their personality or if that was part of their tactic to help first-timers relax. Whatever the case may be their cheeriness rubbed off on me and I didn't feel scared or anxious about my first skydive experience.

Volunteer Hours For This Month:

01/16/2015    New Orleans Medical Reserve Corp      3 hrs

01/19/2015    St Joseph's Hospice/Covenant Nursing Home    1.5 hrs

01/25/2015    St Joseph's Hospice/Covenant Nursing Home    2 hrs

02/14/2015    New Orleans Medical Reserve Corp      8 hrs

02/22/2015    St Joseph's Hospice/Covenant Nursing Home    1 hr

An Addictive Hobby

Get a hobby, they said. It'll be fun, they said.

So under all the stress from the pharmacology program, I have to admit there were days I didn't feel like getting out of bed. There were days when I wish that there was a pause button for life. However, the solution was simple, get a hobby. At least that's what I heard. That is, until I actually tried something only to find that hobbies take up a lot of time (good thing I started the experiment during the holiday break).

Here is what happened. A friend bought me a baby beta from the pet store. The act was innocent enough, except he had no idea the monster he had unleashed in me when he presented me the helpless little thing in a tiny beta bowl with his tiny artificial plant.

He was about half an inch long when I brought him home, and only starting to develop color at this stage. I did some research online and after reading through about a dozen or so websites that all said a beta should have at least a gallon of water to live in, I decided to upgrade my baby beta's home. I ordered a 3 gallon fish tank from Amazon. About an hour after I placed the order for the fish tank I started reading about general fish keeping on the Internet. I learned that fish are happier and healthier if they are kept with live aquatic plants. I researched what type of aquatic plants are best with betas (ones with broad leaves that won't tear the beta's long fins) and which aquatic plants are low maintenance. One thing led to another, I ordered some live aquatic plants, aquarium substrate with live bacteria, CO2 pumps for the plants, full spectrum LED lights, and under gravel heater.

I have always wanted an aquarium with a wall of moss. What can I say. 

The baby beta has now grown to almost two inches in length with a black body and blue highlights in his tail fin. I think he likes his new tank.

Next stop, some tank mates. I'm thinking rainbow-colored shrimps.

Volunteer hours for this month:
12/16/2014    Villalobos Rescue Center                                    1.5 hrs
12/17/2014    St. Joseph's Hospice                                             4 hrs
01/06/2015    Villalobos Rescue Center                                    1.5 hrs
01/11/2015    St Joseph's Hospice/Covenant Nursing Home     2 hrs

Passion Seeks Knowledge

Friendship and building relationship with people was something I had struggled with throughout my childhood. This pharmacology program brought me to the city that is known for it's southern hospitality. I have made so many friends here, more than I ever thought possible. At times I wish the program would never end.

As we approach 2015, the pressure builds. Next semester not only do I need to continue studying hard for this program, I also need to start preparing my med school applications and to study for the MCAT once again. I have just started on my personal statement and the inevitable question of why medical school. My answer to that question remains on the same focus as I did two years ago when I applied the first time. However, I have grown as a person and gained some more insight into a life devoted to medicine. The dream is still there but it is sharper now with a clearer path to the goal. This program gave me a glimpse into the rigor of medical school and the importance of life-long learning to a career in medicine. There were times in this program that I felt like giving up and it has really taught me what it means to have passion. Back in my undergraduate study there were classes I was required to take where I only studied to get good grades but I didn't have passion for the material. On the other hand, the pharmacology program is much harder than any class I had ever encountered but I never want to give up because passion seeks knowledge. The passion I have for medicine fuels the late-night studies (along with cans of Monsters of course). Having to study is no longer a sacrifice but enjoyable and satisfying.

Volunteer hour tally:

09/06/2014    0745-1700 Habitat for Humanity (8 hrs)

09/13/2014    0745-1600 Habitat for Humanity (8 hrs)

10/03/2014    1400-1800 KIPP (4 hrs)

10/04/2014    1000-1500 KIPP (5 hrs)

10/08/2014    1300-1600 KIPP (3 hrs)

Total hours for the semester: 32 hrs

Overview of semester: Time flew by this semester. I've learned a lot over the past few months, not only academically but also socially. I'm grateful for the experience and the opportunity. Although I may not remember every single drug, their mechanisms, interactions, and toxicities, I think it's safe to say that I will never forget the people and the life lessons I've gained here. 

New Orleans, The City That Lives On

The view from the parking garage on campus is breathtaking. No matter how bad of day I had I could always enjoy the view for a few minutes before climbing in my car and everything that happened during the day would become trivial. On a good day, the sun shines through the foliage and lights up the grass and the skyscrapers in a way that transcends tranquility and promises unlimited possibilities for the future. I had seen local school children practice their band songs in the park. Their practice drew crowds and mesmerized them. On a bad day the fog descends on the city and muffles the sound of people bustling in the distance. The charm of New Orleans is the combination of people, culture, and history that translates into the endless festivals and celebrations. I would say that New Orleans is a city that never sleeps because there is always something going on in this city but that title is already taken by New York City, and therefore, I say New Orleans is the City that Lives On. And I am sure no matter where I end up for medical school, New Orleans will always live on in my heart.

Habitat for Humanity (Take #2)

I had such a great experience volunteering at Habitat for Humanity last time that I decided to do it again. This time our group was graced with some shade and light rain in the afternoon. Two of my fellow classmates and I got assigned to attic duty (i.e. putting up insulation) and the three of us quickly worked up a good sweat. When I walked outside with sweat dripping down I felt invincible. The homeowner was working with us on this particular day. She was a very sweet lady, always smiling and eager to land a hand. Her and I formed an assembly line to carry the insulation up to the attic, and she told me all about her family as we worked. It made the work feel so much more meaningful to have the opportunity to meet the homeowner and interact with her. This volunteering was a completely different experience from the first time.

As we progress through the program I have more and more appreciation for practicing physicians. The intricacies of the human body, the disease states, and how the drugs interact with the body to alter the disease state intertwine to tell a delicate story that is pharmacology. There are so many variables that need to be considered in any given scenario with the patients' wellbeing at stake. I cannot wait to go to medical school after this program so I can learn about the rest of the story of medicine.

Volunteer hour tally:
9/6    0745-1700    Habitat for Humanity (8 hrs)
9/13  0745-1600    Habitat for Humanity (8 hrs)
10/3  1400-1800    KIPP (4 hrs)
10/4  1000-1500    KIPP (5 hrs)
10/7  1400-1700    KIPP (3 hrs)
10/8  1300-1600    KIPP (3 hrs)