Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Count DOWN...

WOW......Feeling real good about the end of my first semester of medical school winding up....Life is good....

Had a few moving tasks to complete this morning before I could settle down and study...I'm feeling so much excitement right now, I can't focus....We are in our new apartment, as of today... It feels so good to have a nice bright large apartment.  It is very important to have comfortable surroundings...My mom always talks about how a room with positive energy allows you to sleep better....and to tell the truth you can see and feel the difference.  When you enter a space that is roomy, bright with a lot of windows and clean...It feels good...Well, that's how it is for us, NOW......As I look around our new surroundings, I feel the positive uplifting atmosphere......We are only a 3 minute walk from campus and the grocery store...I'm living in bliss...It's interesting how the small things can put a smile on our faces these days, like hot water, eggs, ground beef, fresh bread, etc...great experience for us....

So, we have about 13 days left in semester one.  Today was the last day of classes.  I haven't been class in months....I am what they call a mediasiter...I watch all lectures via internet.  I found that I get more done in a day than sitting in classes all day...Especially getting personal stuff done around the house, etc.  I just love modern technology.  Starting Thursday we have our Behavior Practical, then Friday a Histology Practical and our last Gross Anatomy Practical..YES...I will celebrate FOR REAL...Well, I've already started celebrating a victorious semester in my mind....Then a 7 day break until our comprehensive final exam....So, the next few days....it's nothing but eat, sleep, and study...then study some more...

Then we are on our way home....for three weeks...LIFE is GOOD....

This is just a small part of my history that Im sharing with you.  Yes, Im making history, my story.... I want you to realize and see that each step and each turn towards your goal is and can be adventurous and exciting or...just more stuff you have to do, blah, blah, blah...  I really don't see my life like that at all. I see my life filled with things that have to be done to live the kind of life I desire and am accustom to living. 

So, as you do you own count down to your SUCCESS...enjoy the ride...These are your good ol' days....live and in color.....Thank God for all the many opportunities that are opening up to you because you are one day closer to your goal...Living Your DREAM..

LIFE IS GOOD..
Now, go live your dream....

Monday, November 21, 2011

Medical Mystery Diagnosis....

Yesterday afternoon I was watching Medical Mystery Diagnosis and recognized a familiar face from the Ross University Medical School website.  It was Dr. Rezak, a fellow Ross graduate.  She and her twin sister graduated from Ross in 2001....WOW, that was so cool and refreshing...Look out Dr. Oz, here I come.....

I would love to be apart of the tv show, "The Doctors"...I used to watch them faithfully at home...switching back and forth between them and Dr. Oz....

Well, the sky is the limit to where I can go and where I am going...Im so excited...trying to get a handle on exactly where I would like to practice will come in time.  I have some ideas in mind...but, Im told you really will not know until you start your clinical rotations to see where you find the right fit. 

There are numerous opportunities for OB/GYN, Family Practice and Internal medicine. The US government have programs where if you practice in an area that there is a shortage of doctors, they will pay you up to $170K for five years to help with repaying your student loans..What a great opportunity, if you want to practice in these specialties.  Initially, I did not, but what a powerful incentative...With about $280K in students loans on the books after med school...cutting them down swiftly looks promising.....

In one of my favorite movies, "Good Will Hunting", the lady interest of Matt Damion said her brain is going to be worth over a quarter of a million dollars by the time she finished med school..I thought to myself wow....and now that is my reality...FUNNY.....

As I was told early on in this quest, dont worry about the investment required.  Look at the return on the investment.  The opportunity is limitedless and plentious.....Anything worth having requires an investment...of time, resources, dedication, etc....That's just the way it is...Enjoy it...look forward to reaping the benefits...

Coming soon...the Dr. Joyce Busch Show....LOL....
All things are possible to them that believe...

Word to the Wise for Parents...

The Ross Housing Database is now open to new students.  I just thought I'd share my experience as a single parent and my current living accommodations.  First let me start by saying, I'm moving in about 9 days.  I thought I was getting a great deal on renting a two bedroom that allowed children and pets.  Well, it was a tough semester not being comfortable at home.  So, I decided to move closer to campus and pay the extra money to be close to the grocery store.  Now, we will be within 3 min from campus with no hills to climb and 3 min from the grocery store.  Im already in heaven....

When looking through the database, make sure if you have children especially small ones that your living arrangements are accommodating for a lot of walking, meaning will they be able to walk the hills.  If you are living in a hilly area and have children with strollers, etc it may be kinda challenging every time you leave your apartment.  I currently live on Banana Trail on a road called Hilltop.  I thought it would be cool to be able to view the ocean from my apartment, etc.  Well, I dont have a view of the ocean from my apartment, but if I walk to the road and look down the hill I can see the ocean...a wonderful view...

The challenging part is getting home everyday...up and down hills is no fun with groceries, a heavy backpack and an eight year old.  But, we did it.  You can order a taxi at $8EC each way.  But, I spend enough on food and eating out..that I had to cut down somewhere..LOL..

Make sure your place has HOT water...It may not have it at your kitchen sink, but you sure want it to work in your shower.  Many nights we had to take cold showers. One good thing about this apartment is we did have a water reservior.  So, we were never without water completely.  For some reason here when it rains, water pressure becomes extremely low or you lose it all together.

Not to sure if you absolutely have to have a place with a generator.  I didnt.  I think we only was without power maybe three times..nothing to be too concerned about for us.  But, if you want a generator you will pay extra...

The places here are very simple.  Don't expect high quality anything, unless you are willing to pay $1600 US per month...To me that is absolutely ridiculous. 

I would suggest to keep it simple.  Shipping barrels and barrels of stuff may be over kill and expensive (I spent over ($600US to ship two barrels) , but ship what you can not live without.  We were told that we needed bug spray for the flying pest.  I brought 6 cans of Off with me...And we have not used it but twice...The mosquitos are not that bad to us.  Normally, at home in the Houston, we would have to spray down every day going out.  But, here it has not been a  problem. (Although, not to sure about the dry season coming up.)

Now, sunblock you will need tons of it.  May sure you bring it with you..it cost anywhere from $35 to $65 EC here....And a good umbrella.

Check to see if your landlord is providing sheets, towels, dishes, coffee pots, toaster, iron, ironing board, etc.  I did not want to bring any of this stuff. 

Storage in our current place was huge problem.  I dont like a lot of stuff hanging around and in our kitchen we only had one wall cabinet, so we did not have any place to store groceries.  My son did not have a closet....I had a very small portable closet.  So, consider all this stuff.

Also, a wonderful service most apartments offer is maid service.  I can't wait to enjoy this service.  My place did not have it.

There are plenty of laundry services around to get your laundry done.  At first, I thought it was too expensive.  So, I tried to do it a couple of times on my own.  But, I just dont have that kind of time.   There aren't any laudromats and most apartments do not have washers or dryers.  This apartment just had working washer and I had to hang dry the clothes.  The washer was convenient with having a boy who like to use a new towel everyday...LOL..

In the midst of all the apartment hunting do not forget why you are here...to finish medical school...So, dont sweat the small stuff too much...hopefully, you can have comfortable living conditions as you pursue your calling.

Enjoy.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Age is just a number...

I've been celebrating this past weekend, it was my birthday...A few of my fellow classmates and I went out for a lobster dinner at a 5 star resort last Saturday night.  I was a blast. I'm so blessed and over joyed to have just turned 42 years old...YAY......I can not even believe I'm that old....I still feel...no more than 30..... and majority of my peers (average age is 24) can not believe my age either...



Feeling very youthful and feeling the need to enjoy something other than studying for a change, I went to a social gathering last night and met a couple of new people....It was fun...I was talking to "a local" (meaning he is from Domonica), he remembered me from the on campus post office.  He is the immigration officer there, that checks all packages that arrive on campus and assess a fee for them.  So, we were joking around about him over charging me for my packages, etc, etc....He made a comment like, I know I look young for my age and you are not even going to be able to guess my age.  I replied, "you will not be able to guess my age."  LOL...So, I played along with the guessing game.  Then he finally told me his age: 29 years old.  Then he said, "Do you consider that old...?" I laughed so hard....I said "NOT REALLY."  At this point I am feeling real good about my youthful appearance...Then I dropped the bomb on him...His eyes almost popped out of his head....LOL...He was speechless...I just laughed and laughed......

I realized that my age is just that, my age.  Nothing to be ashamed about.  Nothing to hide.....Wrapped up in these last 42 yrs, are a lot of life lessons to share, to reflect on and most of all to learn from.  A lot of wonderful experiences and memories.  Moreover, the truth of the matter.....time goes by so fast...But, over all I can say Im pretty pleased with what I have accomplished and where I am now in my life.  I can and am truly walking in BLISS. Glory be to GOD....

So, as we reflect on the things we desire in this life, are we going to be confined/constrained to numbers such as age, MCAT scores, GPA, zip code, bank accounts, etc, etc.  Or are we going to go live beyond the obvious and pursue the unknown?  2 Cor 4:18

I'm learning a positive lesson when it comes to maturing in age, it doesnt really matter what age you are, as long as you are doing what you are suppose to be doing, at this point in time. LIVING ON PURPOSE...

So, don't wait another minute, day, month, or year.  Go, pursue your dreams NOW. Find the love of your life, NOW.  Work in the career you've always dreamed of, NOW.  Live in the neighborhood you've always desire, NOW.  Drive the car you've always wanted, NOW.  Appreciate LIFE, NOW..... TODAY!

I would only pray that my next 42yrs will be filled with LOVE, PEACE, HEALTH, WEALTH, WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, ABUNDANCE AND MOST OF ALL.....PURPOSE.

LIFE IS GOOD...
NOW, GO LIVE YOUR DREAMS...

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Guilty was the final verdict...

After years of speculations, as to the culprit of the Micheal Jackson's death, yesterday Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.  I did not know Dr. Murray personally; however, I have a brief insight to what it took for him to become a doctor and a cardiologist specialist at that. WOW... Dr. Murray without a doubt had to be a man of great intelligence and perservance.  A man focused and dedicated to living out his dream of practicing medicine in several states.  I know this just from the initials he has at the end of his name.  It's a ashame that all his years of hard work and sacrifice have been ruined from one slip of judgement or lapse of moral character.

I know he must have been excited when he was approached to become the King of Pop's personal doctor for a whopping $150,000 per month.  Now, that would excite a dead person...LOL....Think about it, one patient and he will make $1.8 million a year.  Wow. But, there was a deeper problem that was affecting Dr. Murrary.  Im sure he was well capable of taking care of Michael with the best of care.  The man had been practicing for years.  What I think really caught up with him was his flawed character.

I always tell my sons that character and integrity are two of the most valuable traits you can possess.  Your looks, gifts and talents may get you in the door, but your character and integrity will keep you in the door.  These are traits I work on with my eight year son.  I want my sons to understand the importance of being trusted in life, the importance of being men of their word, even to their own hurt.  It's a wonderful thing when a person can trust your word without second guessing or extreme doubt.  I have even gone as far to make them look up the words: trusthworthy, trust, write standards, etc.  So, when I see actions that are contrary to me trusting them I address it immediately.  Alot of time with me, it's not the actual deed that was done, it's that fact that I had more trust in them not to do something that they knew was inappropriate. Take for instance, my oldest son a few years ago totaled out my car and I was angry.  Not to the fact that he had an accident, that's why we have insurance.  But, it was the fact that he had several teenagers in the car with him when he was not suppose to, his license had a 6 months restriction..But, he had three other teenagers in the car with him.  So, after going over with him the important of following the rules and having trust, I think he got the point.

Although most people have been hurt and scared so in life that they have built up walls and feel that don't need anyone.  But the truth of the matter is, we do.  We need each other.  I need people around me that I can trust.  That I do not have to second guess, when it really comes down to the nitty gritty.  Im not talking about a school house mentality on this.  Im talking about real world circumstance, that may arrive, that is between life or death, or even after death.  Will you do what you promised/agreed to even when they are not around or has passed on?  I believe I'm that kind of person.  I know Im that kind of person.  (R.I.P Donald Busch)

So, as I make my transition to becoming a trustworthy doctor, I only pray that my years of decision making: some good and some not so good, will lead and guide me when life threatening decisions arise, I am able to make the right decision concerning my patient, my life and my future as a practicing physician. 

I believe there was a moral flaw in Dr. Murray that was never addressed and dealt with.  It's human to be flawed, but the tradegy is when we do nothing to overcome  them.  There is an innate part of our soul that desires to do good, be good and have what is good.  I truly believe this, but somewhere along the way confusion sat in and less people are seeking to be self aware.  So, our jobs as adults, as teachers, as parents, and future doctors is to seek after that which brings only good in our lives and pursuit it with a passion. 

I was just discussing with my mother the art of making wise choices and decisions.  Early in my life I decided that I did not want to go the path of struggle, pain, and sadness.  I wanted and have traveled the path of least resistance.  Do not confuse the bumps in my path as insignificant, because every bump and every twist has brought me closer to myself.  I'm aware of who I am and what I'm able to accomplish.  My outlook on life is not dictated by the bumps in my path, but the way I have decided (I made a decision), to view them.

So, let's not reflect on Dr. Murray's indiscretions, only pray that his bumps and twist has lead him to a self awareness of his greatness.   He didn't need all the woman, to make himself great...and the sad part about all of that was...HE WAS ALREADY GREAT....Pray for his soul to be saved and delivered from whatever is clouding his judgement.  I know he has it in him to make better decisions than those he made as a caretaker for MJ.  I only pray that in the end....he will come to see clearly....

We all have greatness inside us.  We all have the ability to make decisions that are going to bring good into our lives.  The key to bringing good into your life is to make a lot small decisions early on and learn from them.  Look at your success rate in them.  Change what need to be changed, so you can make better decisions.  It's never too late.  Pray and ask GOD to lead you in the right path.  Follow PEACE.... So, when the BIG DECISION present itself to you, you have the courage, the know how and the will to make the right choice....then GOOD will follow.

Have mercy on us all, as we continue to follow that which is good for our lives. 
GO live your dream!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

What can I say...

It has been an intense first semester on campus....Everyone's frantic about our mini 2 exam...Well, today I felt the aftermath of the exam on yesterday, Monday.  Everyone's drained..walking zombies...Im not feeling a whole lot of energy on campus...Good thing Wednesday is a half day and Thursday is a Holiday...We all need some time to rest and recharge our batteries.

One thing I've learned about medical school is, you must check your ego at the door.  Most students in medical school are use to achieving high marks from their study efforts, especially if you spend 8 to12hrs per day studying outside of class, 7 days per week.  Well, that is just not the case in medical school.  There are a few that make the high marks. But, the truth of the matter the majority are praying to make it thru the next block.  Some are dropping out for various reasons...But, I can't focus on them or their reasons for quiting so early in the game. 

Thank God I have a mother with such spiritual wisdom and strength, that no matter how much Im venting, she's always knows exactly what to say to bring me back to what's really REAL.  What Divine directions and confirmations, I received throughout this journey and not to loose the message amongst the mess.  She reminds me GOD's WORD to stand on as my sure foundation. 

As I reflected, on a motivational speech one of my classmates posted to his facebook page, the message was right on time.  The only way you are going to be able to achieve success, your dreams, and/or your goals is to want it just as much as you want your next breath.  Are you willing to make the necessary sacrifices to get what you want out of life? Do you really have what it take or are you just talking?  Do you really believe GOD has called you to a higher purpose in life and getting to that next level requires determination, sacrifice and perservarance?    What can I say....to these questions...ABSOLUTELY YES....

I had to step back, reflect and think on the bears and the lions (like King David) I've slain to get to this point in life.  I had many giants to knock down....and the beauty of it all is, I wasn't alone and it wasn't by my own power, my might, but by the POWER and SPIRIT of GOD that I was able to overcome, to come out not smelling of fire, although I was in the fire.  It was GOD's reassuring PEACE that gave me the strength, even when I was my weakest. 

So, what can I say to this date with DESTINY?  I will conquer all and every obstacle. I have the wisdom to comprend every concept taught.  I will get to the other side.  I am more than a conqueror thru Christ that LOVES me.  I have world overcoming faith residing within me.  I have all that I need pertaining to life and godliness.  I will succeed.  I will accomplish this dream, this goal, this destiny.  I will make the world, my world a better place by putting into actions all the tools I am learning in medical school as a practicing physician.  I am building a foundation of hope for the future, for ALL those that were told there's no way it could happen.

What do I say to this....I am a winner.  I already have the petition (s) I have asked.  I see my future and it contains my fondest dreams and aspirations.  I see my life and all the beauty it contains.  And I sit back at the end of the day and say...."With GOD all things are POSSIBLE to them that BELIEVE."  that's the anthem of my life...

I would have fainted, unless I BELIEVED that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the LIVING. Psm 25:13