Also, I was the chair for Poverty Banquet- a dinner to raise awareness about global poverty levels, the way natural disasters affect the impoverished, and to give information about a local company called Breedlove Foods Inc here in Lubbock. They're really great- take unused produce from surrounding potato farms, dehydrate it, mix it into quite tasty meals (yeah, I bought some- so?), and then send it to NGO/NPOs all over the world. They're non-profit, get grants from USAID, etc. We took the tour- it was awesome. I enjoy seeing businesses that are out for the best for all using innovative means. Anyways- the dinner went well. We had over 100 people show and raised about $1700 dollars for the company. We had so many people working for it - things got a little stressful. I always think it's interesting to see how people handle stress. Overall, we did a fantastic job. Not too much freaking out, which means a lot from high stress med students.
I'm now the VP of international medicine and gearing up for my trip to Nicaragua. I need to write more about that when I have time. I'm excited about it though. I just wish my Spanish could be as good as it was in 2004... yikes. I still love and get so much passion from global health. Oh- I'm still helping design the curriculum for the global health certificate. we turned in our final go-rounds recently. I just need to do more research and my sections are donnnnne! Love it- can't wait to teach about something that makes me so incredibly motivated.
Did I mention I go to school everyday still? Don't worry- I haven't lost too much focus ;)
As a glimpse into my non school related life... I have two great friends here - lots of friends overall- just two that I see the most, Sunny and Joe. Surprise to everyone, they're both male (ha). They're complete opposites. Joe reminds me of Matt so much, but a little younger. He's a good, strong person from Elgin, TX - a good ol' country boy who drives a huge diesel Dodge. In 5 years, he'll be one of the best men I know. Sunny is my support system here. He is different than anyone I've been friends with before- he's very good at reading me and communicating (and he's MALE!). Probably one of the best communicators I've ever met. He's also very smooth with women - really gets how to talk to them (not in a sleezy bar way- just to clarify). It's amusing to watch. I think we get along so well because we both take the profession so seriously. I decided recently (after speaking with Ruth, who just started working in an OB/GYN office and is learning things about the medical field most people dont know) that the main reasons I get frustrated with people or link myself to people is based on how much honor/respect they give the profession and the patient. I know that seems obvious, but I think right now- at our stage in medicine (students) - people still see this as school. I put a lot into this because I honor both the profession I'm gaining entrance to and the patients who put their trust in me, their health and life in my hands. When people don't take that 100% seriously, it really makes me see them differently. I need to relax when it comes to that- I know everyone is sovereign and have their own motivations and ideas about what their lives will be. I need to give people a break. Butttttt until then, it's people like Sunny, Ruth, Erika, and Gina who remind me what I'm here for, and I'm so appreciative.
Family is good- mom seems to be doing well, every time I talk to her she's got a list of a million things that all have to be done (retirement... what a scam!). She seems happy though, which makes me happy. Wish I could talk to everyone more frequently. There are so many people in my life whose lives are flying by- marriages, kids, new jobs, moving cities, big plans. I wish I could be intimately involved with each and every change but that's just not realistic. I'm not going to give up though- I think I'll forever be a nomad, attempting to go everywhere, see everything, and meet up with everyone. Until I have kids I guess- then there's just too much stuff to carry. Bruce says they're laying the vocals for their latest CD... I honest to goodness can't wait to hear it. I wonder if he believes me sometimes when I say that- but if you ever read this, I want my copy asap, Bruce.
I have a few photos to share- the one of me and the boys at the Lubbock Crosby Garza County Medical Society Centennial Celebration (long name) [Joe and Sunny to my right, respectively- another good friend, Glen, on the left].
Poverty Banquet.
Brooke, Ava, and Katie helping mom and I plant the veggie garden (my god-baby in purple).
And the City Lights Charity Ball
I'll have to post more- but as I have a test on Monday and I'm just procrastinating right now... adios!
