life lessons

35 days until family med rotation starts...
25 days until my last final exam of 1st year...
15 days until I relocate to Chicago...
(Not that I'm counting or anything)

Tonight's life lesson from Kate's perspective..
I've learned in the past two weeks that despite life, despite stress, despite whatever rolls you over... you can get by if you ask for a rope, stand back up, and walk with a little stronger stride in your day. They say tough times only make you stronger and I think whoever said that might be right. One year is almost over and I look back at what's happened so far and I'm shocked and amazed. What a rollercoaster, but that's the most accurate description of life right?! Every day I think I discover something more about myself whether it be some new hobby I desire to try or something that I don't really care to have in my life anymore. The biggest thing I've learned in this year of PA school is how to be me and be okay with just that. Although Chicago is considered my actual "home", North Chicago is very distant from that. It's not much of a town excluding the fireplace at Starbucks where I've lived for the last year! I've had moments of thinking I'm going to completely fail out of PA school, sleepless nights of wondering how I'm going to make it through, and moments of complete giddiness realizing that I'm almost done and I can do this! It's a bit of a relief knowing that I am where I need to be right now, that I've found a nitch in something that I can do for the rest of my life, and one piece of my life puzzle that finally fits into place. The rest of the stuff.... well, it'll fall into place sooner rather than later hopefully. Funny how Mom's are always right though, because I'm pretty sure mine's been telling me that since I was a little munchkin and it's taken me almost 25 years to finally listen to her and take it to heart.

Back to studying burns, toxicity, and obstetics for the night (of course, not all related)... philosophical lesson over.

one month later...

So it's been one month since my last blog (SORRY!). RFUMS is getting crazy but the light at the end of the tunnel is shining bright. I'm not sure many of you know but I'm a philanthropy co-chair for our program. This week we're actually hosting a huge event I've been working on for weeks: salsa benefit for Multiple Sclerosis!! Today we've put together a shoe sale with discounted Brian Atwood (Italian designer) shoes and Thursday is the salsa concert. So needless to say, it's been crazy! Lots of last minute, pulling strings, getting everything together... but come Thursday at 9pm - phew!

I've had the adventure urge lately, which isn't helping me study and get through classes but that's spring fever for you! Urban adventure races, backpacking trips, road trips to Miami to visit Chris (who comes home in ONE WEEK!), anything and everything has crossed my mind. AND BELIZE!! I'm actually starting to get excited.. One of the second year students just returned to the US from Hillside with a handful of words of wisdom for us! There are plenty of excursions to take on the weekend - I'm looking most forward to the kayaking. I've had the itch but unfortunately I don't own a kayak around here nor do I live close to a lake quite yet. Someday...

So, needless to say, Belize planning is on the go right now! I have to stop and thank the people who have been such a huge blessing already to me. I never expected anyone to donate and those who have were such a surprise! Thank you to Kim & Jet, Sally, Kate & Ken, Kristen & Jeff, Carol & Galen, and Tony & Helene!! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Still to come is plane tickets, immunizations, prophylactic medicine (mostly for malaria), and a passport. Currently, tickets are running $680 for a direct flight down there - thanks to the airline economy - but I'm crossing my fingers that those will go down soon! I'll keep you posted as plans develop!

HIGHLIGHTS:
One more month of class until finals..
May 15th - moving to Chicago to the edge of Logan Square and West Bucktown with two great friends of mine in a beautiful 4BR condo with a fireplace!!
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/1120563505.html
End of April-beginning of May - BIG BRO COMES HOME!!!! :)
June 1st- family medicine rotation starts - it all becomes real finally!

Ciao, and much love...