Back in the USA

I'm back from Australia, I miss you all, I'm sorry I'm not around longer in Socal to visit and hang out, that's one thing I'm not excited about w/ med school. Sorry for the lack of pictures, I had spotty coverage while there and didn't have a computer w/ me all the time. I took 3000+ pictures, some will be up shortly and a full vacation report...

Meantime, I'm back in Philly tomorrow and have PIL orientation Wednesday and the full blown orientation next Tuesday. I'll describe PIL later, bedtime now and flight in the AM.

elaboration

I was reading over my recent posts and I noticed that there is a lack of "excitement" over getting in and such. So I thought I'd take this space to elaborate the gravity of my excitement. When I got the call, I was studying for my MCAT's. I don't brag, but I got a pretty good score on the first MCAT I took and unfortunately those scores expire this year and I would need a new set to reapply to med school. As you can tell, the pressure was on to either get the same score or do better. My efforts could take a turn for the worse if I got a score that was lower than previous b/c I had taken such advanced courses this past year that it was EXPECTED of me to do better this second time around. So you can imagine that I was very very relieved not to have to retake the MCAT.

So I was literally writing notes for physics when the phone rang. I had the phone number for Drexel partially memorized and was waiting for that very phone call. I think the correct description would be the weights on my shoulder dropped and I dared to feel hopeful again the moment I saw the number. When I answered and the person on the other end announced who he was (Dr. Samuel Parrish, Dean of Admissions) I was stunned and I could not believe that it was happening. My life was moving forward again. I was ecstatic! It was the best feeling in the world. Like waking up on Saturday mornings to a 3 day weekend, except a 1000 times better. Like seeing a loved one after being away for weeks. It was sublime. That's how I felt and I hope you all have experienced or will experience that same feeling many times in your lives. If you care to share your experiences, feel free in the comments section.

Washington DC crab cookout and 4th of July Sheryl Crow Fireworks

We had a get together of postbac people in Bethesda just outside of Washington DC last weekend and we had crab and a bunch of other food which we ate while we were being eaten alive by mosquitos the size of copper pennies!

The people in the photos below are incoming med school 1st years from all over the country. We had 1 from Western med in CA, another from Touro Nevada, 1 from Howard in DC and myself from Drexel. Also one 2nd year from Drexel. It was really fun to get together, kind of the calm before the storm. I don't know how successful I'll be in the coming years but I know these people will accomplish everything they've set out to do and that's exciting. Anyway, click picture above to see album.


On July 4th, there was a Sheryl Crow concert near the Art Museum (think Rocky statue) and fireworks afterwards. It was super crowded, wall to wall people. I wish they'd had it directly in front of the Art Museum which is a more open area. I couldn't get really close to the stage but it was fun nonetheless. Click picture above for album.

Anyway, I just spent the day today getting immunized and physicalized...in total sans insurance: $450. I'll be going to Aus on Sunday, look for more pics then.