My Life Is My Personal Movie

Farewell Post

After three years of composing journal entries for your reading pleasure, I will have to continue and finish off my last year, of course!  BUT there will be a change.  For my fourth year at the glorious Johns Hopkins University, I will be responsible for the Natural Science leg of the new SENIOR BLOG - Class of 2009.  Although we will have to say goodbye to "My Life is My Personal Movie", I am positive this combined blog will be much more informative, diverse, and interesting to read!  The new blog will be maintained by four seniors from the Hopkins Interactive Team:

1. JHU_Tanmay - As he is the most brilliant Biomedical Engineering student, he will be filling you in on his fourth year at Hopkins.  Plus, I believe he is in the midst of applying to medical schools!  To read a mini-autobiography (as posted on the Hopkins Interactive Message Forum) about Tanmay, click here.

2. JHU_Andrew - As an International Studies major, he will be filling you in on the Social Science perspective of Hopkins.  He is also involved in a plethora of other organizations, so read his mini-autobiography.  Also, Andrew wrote a guest blog in the past, so check it out!   

3. JHU_Laura - As the creative Writing Seminars major, Laura will continue writing stimulating entries.  As you know, Laura has also maintained her personal Hopkins Interactive blog called "A Day in the Life".  Well, she will definitely continue informing you about the action-packed lives of a Humanities student at Hopkins.  Read her mini-autobiography!

4. JHU_Stefanie - Like I mentioned, I will be the Natural Science leg of this blog.  So you will have to bear with me for another year.  But it will be exciting as I am running around like a headless chicken going to classes at three different institutions and preparing my applications to Nursing schools! 

So here are your new writers!  Alas, it is time to change URLs, so check it out: SENIOR BLOG - Class of 2009!

Senior Year - Hello!

There are many happenstances that have been pointing me to the fact that summer is coming to a close and the school year is about to blossom.  Being a fourth year Public Health student, my summer actually gets cut short a week because classes at the Bloomberg School of Public Health start on August 28th as opposed to September 4th.  I've been coordinating a lot with my planner to keep tasks and dates straight.

Curriculum - Year Four

I. JHU - Homewood Campus - starts September 4th, 2008
I will outline my potential classes with their start dates in this section.  First, I am currently planning on taking 7 credits at the Homewood Campus.  Statistical Analysis I (4 credits) - although I already took Biostatistics, I decided to take this course because it'll break down statistics for what it is without weaving it into the complexities of research.  Plus, I thoroughly enjoyed Biostatistics.  Many of the Hopkins Interactive students have taken Statistical Analysis, and I have only heard good things (even from Political Science major, JHU_Julia).  Secondly, I will be taking Developmental Psychology (3 credits).   To be completely honest, I am only taking this course because a lot of the potential programs I'm looking at for next year state this course as a prerequisite.   But word of mouth also whispers to me that this course is very interesting.

II. College of Notre Dame, Maryland - starts September 8th, 2008
This is my first time taking advantage of the co-op program amongst many of the universities in Baltimore.  The policy at Hopkins states that a student can take one course at a fellow university.  This also allows OTHER students to take courses at JHU which is an extra dose of excitement.  Anyway, I chose to take Human Anatomy & Physiology (4 credits) along with Human Anatomy & Physiology Lab (1 credit) at Notre Dame, a women's college about 2 miles away from Homewood.  I think it will be a pleasant change of pace.

III. Bloomberg School of Public Health - starts August 28th, 2008
As I mentioned in previous entries, I have the advantage of taking classes at the graduate school in East Baltimore (the JHMI Shuttle takes you there).  I think it will be a very different experience because I will be taking classes with graduate students on the QUARTER system as opposed to the SEMESTER system.  This means I can take more of a variety of classes each semester.  A couple of classes I am thinking about are Prenatal and Infant Growth Development (3 units = 2 credits), Introduction to Humanitarian Emergencies (2 units = 1.3 credits),  Maternal & Child Health Legislation and Programs (4 units = 2.6 credits), and Child Health & Development (3 units = 2 credits).  I am still working with the Public Health coordinator and Academic Adviser Dr. Goodyear on this though!  Oh, and you can browse through the other courses offered here.

Research - Ryugo Lab                                            JHU_Kate and I both work as undergraduate research assistants in Dr. Ryugo's Lab which focuses on auditory anatomy and physiology.  It has been a pleasure to work there throughout the summer, and I am going to continue throughout the school year as I am starting a new project based on spherical bushy cells in the cochlear nucleus.  This lab is exciting because there are many opportunities to learn different things - for example, yesterday I was able to watch a bilateral cochlear implant in a congenially deaf cat (surgery performed by Dr. Charles Limb who performs this surgery on human children as well).  Because I will be taking classes at the Bloomberg School of Public Health leading me to the East Baltimore campus, it will be convenient to go into lab on the same days!

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Those are the main things I have been trying to organize.  A lot of extracurricular activities do not turn their wheels until the second week of school with the famous Student Activities Fair (Office of Student Involvement).  However, the campus is already buzzing with pre-season for the various Hopkins Division III teams such as Track & Field and Lacrosse (well, obviously that's D-I).  More and more students are moving in and I can feel the spirit of school.  After being away from Hopkins/Baltimore for two weeks while I traveled all over the United States - namely TN, IL, OH, and DE to visit family - I am ready.  It is crazy that I am now a member of the oldest class at Hopkins welcoming in the youngest class as an Orientation Assistant.  My close friend (who will be my roommate this year as she is finishing up her pre-med requirements) was a senior when I was a freshman.  AND her close friend from Texas will be a freshman this year at JHU while I'm a senior.  So it is all pretty exciting. 

As for this weekend, my roommate is moving in with me, and we will be busy decorating our apartment. Plus,  I will also be going to Washington DC to spend time with another close friend who recently graduated from law school and moved to the East Coast.  And here's to end this entry - I will be eating Thai food tonight at the greatest Thai restaurant around.  Listen up, freshmen.  The Thai Restaurant is a MUST - take your parents there when you move-in.  It's located on 3316 Greenmount Ave which is walking distance from the Homewood Campus.   Now that is my secret to you all - welcome to the Hopkins family!  I cannot wait to see you guys next weekend!

I miss you, Academia.

As I've just finished reading The Dive From Clausen's Pier,  I have realized that my being has been knit together to love seasons.  My bones ache for Fall and Winter to come; in fact, I wish Hopkins were built somewhere up in New Hampshire nestled in green.  Maybe it's just the toll of a Baltimore summer - although there is a perk of being an urban university during the academic year, the summer seems to call for nature.  All in all, here are my two conclusions: I am ready for the school year to begin, and after I complete my fourth year at Hopkins, I should either move to Vermont or Wisconsin.  But considering it is most likely that I will be in New York City or some other urban setting next year, I only have one conclusion: I cannot wait until the 2008-2009 academic year begins!

Last week, I visited my academic adviser (Dr. James Goodyear, Public Health) to discuss my classes at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.  I will probably be taking 6 credits at East Baltimore this coming semester, and this fits in nicely with my intentions at the Ryugo Lab.  I will also be taking 4 credits at the College of Notre Dame and 7 credits or so at the Homewood Campus.  Though I am still finalizing my schedule, I am hopeful for a fabulous year.  Plus, I thoroughly miss seeing the campus buzzing with students going from class to class.   At the end of August, one of my closest Hopkins friends will also move in with me so I am especially looking forward to a fun-filled year.

Tomorrow is my last day as a student instructor at the Village Learning Place. Honestly, I cannot believe that summer is quickly drawing to a close.  Every summer, I seem to have a job that starts a tad bit too early - my alarm clock rings at 7:30am every morning!  But with the coming of August, I will sleep in a bit more and be less "schedule-happy".   For August, I will be home in Tennessee for bit but also devote time to the Ryugo Lab (same) and press hard on MCAT preparation!  Also, a couple of friends and I are preparing for the Mason Team Relay Marathon in October.  I am hoping it will be more of a relaxing month considering my Public Health courses begin on August 28th.

The past month has not been too eventful. I went to a family reunion, watched The Dark Knight twice, went to Six Flags, and just hung outJHU Newsletter, Delta Xi Phi, HAPA, Admissions Representatives, Blue Key Society, and the Student Admissions Advisory Board (SAAB), and what not.  There are many old and new things to be maintained/added this year.  As I wrap up my work schedule, I am longing for my beloved student life (and all of its busyness)!  I will be working as an Orientation Assistant for the third year in a row, and I am thrilled to see new faces on the 29th of August!

A Baltimore-Hopkins Summer.

For some reason, I am realizing that "summer vacation" has a different meeting in college.  In high school, I spent my time abroad (Costa Rica, Europe, Philippines) and at various universities to study in academic programs.  All in all, the busyness was an adventure because I was experiencing life else where.  My summers at Hopkins are quite different.  I suppose I could have traveled abroad, but I opted to be more frugal.  Every summer thus far, I have committed to work.  I thoroughly enjoy being productive, but I also have realized over the past couple of years that life is very different outside of academia.  It's a very different strain of adventure!

Since my fabulous rendezvous (Royal Caribbean cruise to Haiti, Jamaica, and Mexico) during the allotted study time for finals this past May, I haven't basked in the rays of the summertime sun.  As soon as I arrived in Baltimore, I took two finals and sealed off my sixth semester at Hopkins.  Because Gilberto is a proud member of the Class of 2008, I attended a string of celebratory Commencement events (like the Black & Latino Commencement Night, the official Johns Hopkins 132nd Commencement, and a couple of graduation parties).  May was such a hectic month, but I had such a wonderful time.  Read more about it here.

At the end of May, I went home for a week (to Memphis, Tennessee).  It was so relaxing and refreshing to catch up with my family.  Plus, I traded in my gas-guzzler for a more fuel-smart car -- and it's a scandalous red, too!  I bought tons of food and apartment-friendly things.  My favorite item was the large jug of olive oil because it's such an incentive to cook.  My mom also loaded me up with marinated meats and frozen shrimp!  In the beginning of June, I had to head back to Baltimore to: a) move into my new apartment; b) start my job; and c) be an overall Hopkins student again.  After bearing the responsibility of arranging a move seven blocks down North Charles Street, I set up my new apartment. The best thing about my new place is my queen-size bed.  My luckily stumbled upon a $30 sale on Craig's List.

This summer (like the previous two summers), I have committed to being a student teacher in Number Playground.  This math enrichment program finds its roots in the JHU Tutorial Project.  Ann Forno, the previous Director of Tutorial Project, still manages this program at the Village Learning Place (VLP).  Along with a handful of Hopkins alumna and other talented teachers, I tutor elementary school children in mathematics to prevent summer learning loss. So from 8:30am-12:30pm, I hang out with rambunctious six year olds who challenge me to stretch my limits in a positive way.

* *I also conduct private tutoring sessions on the weekend for a 3rd grader and a 7th grader to make some extra money and as a way to continue my academic year commitment to this family.** 

After work at the VLP, I jump on the JHMI Shuttle from the 27th Street bus stop to head over to research.  A couple of weeks ago, I joined the Ryugo Lab which is in the Department of Otolaryngology (and affiliated with Department of Neuroscience).  As you can read in JHU_Kate's Hopkins Interactive journal, this lab is amazing!  Who knew I would be drawn into the wonders of the auditory system -- material I gobbled up in The Nervous System I course in Fall 2008?  But I absolutely love the Neuroscience major at JHU; I only opted for Public Health because it gave me the option of taking so many different classes at the Bloomberg School of Public Health during one's fourth year as an undergraduate.  With Public Health as my primary major, I can also indulge in Neuroscience courses, upper-level Biology courses, and other subjects.  Plus, being an undergraduate researcher in this lab allows me to indulge hands-on in Neuroscience.  My PI, Dr. David Ryugo, is wonderful, and he encourages me to apply classroom knowledge to the "real" stuff.  He definitely invests in his lab members, and I am utterly grateful.  Whether it's discussing a paper or talking about Euro 2008, I have learned a ton already.  All in all, I love spending five hours every afternoon in the lab with people from all different backgrounds.

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After my first week in this routine, I realized how much of my days were devoted to work and research.  I was genuinely caught by surprise!  Coming back to my apartment at 6:20pm every evening made me think about ways to manage my time better.  For example, I had to think about all of the "other" things I wanted to do this summer in the context of my schedule.  Because I reunited with my competitive Chopin pieces a couple of weeks ago -- I haven't really conversed with them since high school -- I go to the Mattin Center after work for an hour or two to spend time with the piano Monday through Friday.  Afterwards, Gilberto and I make dinner together or we go out to eat with our friends (PJs, Chipotle, Tamber's Restaurant, Bert's Restaurant, etc.).  I have been trying to review "science material" through the MCAT books or read various lab articles/books in the evenings as well.  But there have been many nights where I have just talked with hours with my friends outside or watched movies. 

Speaking of friends, this is a very special summer because my best friend (who I met at Hopkins my freshman year) returned to Homewood!  Although she graduated as an International Studies major in 2006, she'll be at Hopkins next year taking Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry because she decided that she wanted to go to medical school.  So it's been nice just talking for hours on end with her and a couple of my other girlfriends who graduated from Hopkins.  They definitely balance the work and research components of my Baltimore-Hopkins summer.  So does playing board games and going on light morning jogs with Gilberto!

All in all, although my summers have changed a bit from high school (I now have to pay the bills and worry about money), I am really enjoying myself.  Pushing myself outside of the academic year is nice because I am shedding light on very different parts of myself intellectually, socially, and what not.  It's hard to explain, but I think I'm warming up to the working world outside of being a student a bit.  In the final end though, I really miss being a student during the academic year with pockets of free time and varied days! 
 

Reflections from Home (on a calm Thursday morning)

This past semester, my Thursday mornings were typically calm.  I had Sociology of Latin America at 10:30am, and then I would always have lunch with my good friend Carolyn at Levering.  Afterwards, I would head over to Remsen/Mergenthaler because I was a TA for Introductory Chemistry Lab II.  Later in the evening, I would go and tutor my lovely 2nd grader, Eden, in the Pan Lucey area (about 15 minutes from campus). 

So as I write this entry from HOME (Memphis, Tennessee) in hopes to reflect on this past year, I feel at ease.  After a tough year academically, physically, socially, and spiritually, "home" has never felt so sweet.  I feel older and more mature, and I think it is a good thing.  Staying for the Hopkins graduation -- congratulations to Michelle_B, our beloved Hopkins Interactive graduate -- made me realize that my last year will most likely quickly pass.  But before I begin to think about the logistics of next year, I want to flip through my junior year journal entries see how I have been molded by circumstances presented in the latest academic year at Hopkins.

A look back into first semester:

Season Three: A Change is Gonna (HAS) Come: This was my first entry officially in the academic year of 2007-2008.  From the very beginning, I knew this year was going to be different.  Although I knew it would be challenging, I am glad to read that I let myself travel outside of Baltimore more.  In this entry, I share about the Puerto Rican Festival in Philadelphia.  By the third year, it is about time to take advantage of the wonders of the East Coast.

Dig your toes in deeper for your own sanity, love: In this entry, I detail my two major activities (aside from academics): JHU Crew and Delta Xi Phi.  Both organizations were time-consuming but completely worth every minute and every sweat dropped.  I met a variety of new people who soon became close friends.

Balance of Good & Evil:  Despite the heaviness of a varisty sports along with the other activities and obligations, I found time to relax.  I traveled to Six Flags America (Maryland/Washington DC) and enjoyed the weekend with family.  It was good to be busy but not consumed; the need for "fresh air" and a simple "break" is real and should not be ignored!       

They say it's mind over matter: Delta Xi Phi and Hopkins Crew obviously continued, but I began to  realize more and more than college truly is a test of BALANCE.  Character really is drawn out when you are stretched.  But participating in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk and other community-wide activities were well-worth the sleepless nights.

Don't fast forward through life: stretch everyday: Honestly, reading through it makes me tired.  It reminds of my beyond hectric schedule that semester.  I was thoroughly engulfed in Delta Xi Phi (the multicultural sororiety) and Hopkins DIII Crew team.  Between sororiety volunteer activities and regattas (and practice every morning at 5am), I was booked.

Good morning, Baltimore: I am a woman: It's finally November!  The weeks are still packed, but I am alive!  November was a great month to invest in my friends around Hopkins.  There are performances nearly every wekeend, and I was glad to have the chance to go out and support them through cheers in the audience.  The Dunbar-Baldwin Hughes (DBH) production of Broadway Revue was fabulous, and I enjoyed the weekend at Hopkins.  I also contemplate this topic: A Glimpse into a WOMAN'S Mental Battlefield Regarding Health Professions vs. Other.  Please read this short critique.

A Love Affair with Technology:  Again, the weekends continue with peer support.  The ever-so-popular Culture Show 2007 was a success!  All of the student groups did a fabulous job.  This event is probably one of my top favorites at Hopkins as this is the main performance of many of the dance groups at Hopkins (and I am so glad it's a home event).

Eat, Sleep, & Volunteer: Some weekends are just less eventful.  But I realized that there's beauty in just eating with friends.  I continued to volunteer with my sisters in Delta Xi Phi, but it was not "stressful" (in the most positive spin of the word) than other weekends.  It was also nice to support the "Awareness" branch of our sororiety through the campus viewing of the movie Iron Jawed Angels.

Thanksgiving Break: I am at home in Tennessee!  The break was short but well-received.  I remember talking to JHU_Kate while I was at home, and we were half-disheartened with our lack of "get-ahead-in-academics-while-at-home" thrust.  But in the end, I ate a lot and it was good to relax with the family.  One thing that many of you will realize is this: once you leave for college, your family still goes on.  When I say this, I am thinking of the fact that my parents moved twice since I graduated from high school.  It is an interesting experience -- going to a new home that is also your home without the familiar surroundings.

Special pre-Christmas Post: Honor Roll:  This was a common blog amongst all Hopkins Interactive writers.  We highlighted some of most influential people (in terms of peers and not professors) that we have met thus far at Hopkins.  These people are still near and dear to my heart!

i ♥ΔΞΦ! (a musical double dose): As finals quickly approach, sentiments of the Christmas holiday tag  along.  My apartment-mates and I put up a Christmas tree in the apartment.  Many student acapella groups perform their final shows, and the campus is buzzing with activities even despite the looming finals-cram-sessions.

Starbucks & snowflakes join forces to draw in the holidays: Hopkins is even more beautiful when a fresh coat of snow covers the campus.  It drew out desires for Starbuck's seasonal cups, and the adventures of Reading Period were about to begin.  It was nice to see so many students out tumbling in the snow rather than being buried in the depths of the library.

Pandora's Box Keeps me Sane: I wrote this entry in the midst of final exams.  I was studying for Nervous Systems I (along with JHU_Kate).  This is sad to admit, but here's the truth: for the first time in my life, I pulled TWO all-nighters in a ROW during this intense season.

A look back into second semester:

Change is good for the soul: After Christmas break, I came back for Intersession 2008.  Although I did not take any classes, I worked in Admissions and spent a lot of time having fun with friends at Hopkins.  In this entry, I give details of my participation as an Admissions Representative (conducting interviews for prospective students) and a TA for Introduction to Chemistry Lab I & II.  This entry is a lot like the following one, January Bliss smells like Christmas.

This show will continue for another semester: Hopkins received its second snow fall of the winter season!  I love it when there are snowmen made throughout campus! Here are pictures of some Hopkins friends in New York City together.  Also, Intersession was the perfect time to throw 21st birthday parties for friends!

Winter vacation won't leave me alone:  Second semester began, and the homework stack began to pile.  My boyfriend had a large stumbling block early in the semester with a serious snowboarding accident.  This entry details the wonders of that (pictures included).  He had to go to numerous post-operation check-ups in Delaware ... although he successfully completed the semester (and graduated), it was rough driving 1.5 hours one way in the middle of the week.

Text-heavy post for a reading-heavy load: In this entry, I gave course details of this semester.  I took 6 courses (18 credits) and most of them were 300-level social science classes.  I thoroughly enjoyed the type of work this semester.  Although I had a lot more papers to write, I enjoyed the subject matter.  And it really does show in my grades!

Pink & Blue: Although my birthday was a bit messy with my boyfriend's snowboarding accident, he more  than made it up on Valentine's day!  Please go read the gushy details.  After this event, I realized that I really like long-stemmed roses.  We also went to see the Blue Man Group at the First Mariner Arena (downtown Baltimore) and it was beyond fabulous!

JHU_Stefanie: FAVORITES: This was the best common blog amongst Hopkins Interactive bloggers to date (and in my book).  The questions are informative, and I had a load of fun filling in the blanks!

Hakuna Matata:  Life on the weekends can be full of relaxation.  I am definitely of fan of leaving some time open to simply sleep and not buzz around from here to there.  Also, it is a great opportunity to catch up on reading and other work for classes.  One change from this post: even before the season finale of American Idol, I converted to become a fan of David Cook instead!

22 Questions with JHU_Stefanie: This was a filler post (a random survey).  I remember sitting at the beautiful Bloomberg School of Public Health writing this entry.  I love that school; next year, I will devote A LOT more time there since I will be able to take classes with the graduates as a Public Health senior!

Hopkins CRIBS: Off-Campus Housing a la Hopkins' Style:  Come read how upper-classmen who don't live on campus live!  During the 2007-2008 academic year, I lived in an apartment with four other Hopkins girls.  It was about a 15 minute walk which proved to be a pain at times.  But the amenities were ridiculous!  Congratulations to the Class of 2012!

Special Attention for Juniors: This entry was particularly for third year undergraduates (and partly for upper-classmen in general).  I had to go through the process of "Junior Clearance" (for graduation the following year) and the apartment hunt.  I decided to move closer to Hopkins.  In fact, I will now be living directly across from the Mattin Center and about 10 feet from Charles Commons!  Get ready for a Cribs Blog entry next year.

Review, review! Fresh from the Press: If you look at my course schedule in Text-heavy post for a reading-heavy load, you will see that the courses are more social science based rather than natural science.  This post is about my comparison between the two concentrations. 

Attempts at a Video Blog: Recap: After multiple Admitted Student Open Houses in the Spring, the campus was buzzing with prospective students.  Here is a short re-cap on how much fun I had meeting all of the different students.  The Class of 2012 looks great!

Self-inspection, confessions, and discoveries: After tutoring my 2nd grader, Eden, I came home to be a bit introspective.  I found myself going a tad bit deep in this entry as I compared high school to college and how I viewed myself and my current circumstances along with my future endeavors.

Happy Summer Vacation: This was my last post after the semester ended.  I had a crazy Reading Period  -- going on a cruise to Haiti, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Mexico -- but my final exams went well, and I am very pleased with my overall performance this semester.  I was so surprised another academic year passed by and I am now officially a senior!

Well, there you go.  This entry took me two days to compose.  So now, it is a quiet Friday evening.  I am still at home -- I prolonged my stay a couple of days -- and I must confess that I do not want to venture back to Baltimore.  This home-away-from-home vacation has been sweet.  Now, I have loads to look forward to this summer!  I will be working all summer so I will update you the adventures packed into the heated months ahead.  After I return to Baltimore next week, I will be moving into my new apartment, and I am looking forward to the changes that come along with the new circumstances!

Happy Summer Vacation?

I am convinced that the month of May (of 2008) will be the most action-packed month of my life.  We are already at the middle of the month, and I am done with my third year at Hopkins.  In fact, I just finished my last final about two hours ago.  But aside from that, it has truly been a crazy month for me.  From the last day of classes (May 2nd), I traveled over 2,000 miles!  Yes, I went to Haiti, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Mexico on a fabulous Royal Caribbean cruise.  If you do the math, you will discover that I went during the designated days of "reading period" at Hopkins.  Lucky for me, I had my two more difficult finals the last week of classes, a week off, and then two finals this past week.  So on my week off, I decided to travel the world (or part of it anyway).  Although I have received many facial expressions clearly judging me as a "slacker", I am quite thrilled about my grades this semester (bumping elbows with the Dean is pretty nice).   Anyway, my main reason for going was because it was boyfriend's graduation celebration.  I had just a wonderful time: rock climbing (Gilberto & I actually dominated the men and women's rock climbing competition getting two gold medals), snorkeling with colorful fish and soft sting rays, getting $1 hot sauce at Mexico, picking out something very special (jewelery) in Jamaica, eating a TON of fancy desserts and even more delicious sea food, and  simply basking in the different cultures.  We also played a lot of mini golf!  Overall, I had a wonderful first-time cruise experience.

 

But as soon as I got back to Baltimore on Monday afternoon, I had to buckle down for my exams (one on Tuesday and another on Thursday).  I even attended a group studying session for my Tuesday afternoon exam on Monday night!  Overall, I am  pleased with  how this semester carried itself and ended.  After finishing my last exam on Thursday, I went to my last tutoring session (with my second grader, Eden).  Then I went to dinner with my old roommate at One World Cafe (the "Organic Tofu Club" is beyond fabulous there).  We talked about summer and future plans.  It was GREAT to catch up before going separate ways for the next three months.  Speaking of that, is anyone else baffled that it's always SUMMER VACATION?  I feel like it crept up on me!  But I suppose that just means I really have been enjoying the "now" of often long days.  I'm thrilled!  I hope you guys have a fabulous summer!

Self-inspection, confessions, and discoveries.

During the last Admitted Students Open House today, I stumbled upon a much needed realization.  As Kate mentioned/demonstrated in her most recent entry, many students have a love-hate relationship with college (general institution).  That's almost a given because isn't that what life is -- a string of ups and downs?  Honestly, I am so grateful I've been challenged in all dimensions of my being: spiritually, mentally, physically, academically, and emotionally at Hopkins.  It has allowed me to really discover who I am, what I stand for, who/what is my foundation, and what I envision for myself in whatever greater surrounding.    

Picture to the left is of me and an orphan I was working with the summer prior to coming to Hopkins.  A close friend of mine started the New Faith Family Children's Home (a home for about 25 abandoned, neglected, and/or abused children).  The picture below on the right is off the other students who went with me and the other kids we were serving. 

Maybe I was a more optimistic person in high school.  I had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines for a month prior to coming to Hopkins, and I completely fell in love with the people and the country.  With such disparities along a single street, my heart broke.  However, rather than being bitter or in disbelief, I decided to really focus the opportunities presented to me in the United States to equip myself to be of some sort of help to children in need.  So, I excitedly came to Hopkins ready to learn something for a cause greater than myself.  But I'm going to be honest: after digging my fingers on this campus, I found myself penciling in so many things.  I think in the busyness of life -- there are SO MANY opportunities presented here and it's SO EASY to get involved in SO MUCH -- I quickly forgot why I was engaging in a mixed bundle of activities.  I found myself burning myself out.  I think it's perfectly fine for people to subject themselves to a packed schedule; however, I think it's essential for everyone to take a breather every once in a while and re-evaluate motives.  Maybe it's because I am on the edge of my third year and about to tip into my senior year at Hopkins ... or maybe it's because I just tutored a beautiful 2nd grader who made me realize the joy of solving a single math problem ... but I find myself really grateful for the position I am in today.  Yes, I have long nights ahead of me (from tonight until next Friday).  Yes, I feel the initial symptoms of a mysterious cold (or it could simply be annoying allergies).  But you know what?  I have a lot of work and so do my friends; we pull each other through it.  Spring Fair is this weekend, and we will enjoy ourselves thoroughly.  The work will get done, and I will find gratification in having tried my best.  And I will remember that life is BIGGER than ME and MY INSECURITIES and MY WORRIES. 

With that said, let me share with you my definite plans for the future.  *DRUM ROLLS*  If you have kept up with my blogs the past 2.5 years, you know that I have passionately wrestled with MYSELF over topics such as: a) major; b) medical school; c) engineering (this was brief); d) law school (this was also brief); e) miscellaneous.  BUT I HAVE SETTLED ON A CAREER PATH.  And with all of those personal battles, it feels good to finally triumph and settle the score towards my favor.  I have decided to become a NURSE.   After realistically shoveling through my own personal strengths, desires, goals, ideas, preferences, and etcetera, I realized that nursing was actually quite perfect for me.  To be shamefully honest, I never even considered this field because I attached a stigma to the profession.  A large reason why I decided to matriculate here was because of it's strong pre-MEDICAL program (with a nice financial package).  But I realized that health care in the United States is so fragmented and so intricate.  Sure, I may not have the prestige later in life, but I know I will experience the utmost gratification in serving others in this way.  I will have to dedicate an entire entry to this epiphany next week or some time in the near future.

But for now, I will have to cut it here.  Tomorrow is the start of Spring Fair!  In fact, there is a fireworks show RIGHT NOW to jump start the celebration.  So good night, and thanks for the ear.

Attempts at a Video Blog: Recap.

So I made this really cheesy video blog that consists of my face saying "ton of fun" on countless occasions, but I cannot find my cord to put it up!  So while I hunt for an essential piece of technology, I will linger with strings of words that accumulate into lengthy paragraphs.  Basically, my video blog -- which let me know that I need a bigger memory card in my camera -- was a speedy information burp about Hopkins in the Spring.  A couple of things I brushed on:

a) Admitted Students Open House!  The second one was yesterday, and I had a load of fun.  It was great seeing potential Blue Jays with their parents; a lot of great questions were asked, and I hope we answered them well!  My hope is that more can come next Thursday for the last Open House.

b) Last weekend was Homecoming weekend.  Not only did we beat Maryland (10-4), but we were accompanied by alumni from all different classes!  I volunteered at "Teen Scene" which was simply entertaining the alumni's kids (a lot of them were in high school).  It was fun to go climbing at the gym and play DDR and Guitar Hero at the HopStop.  Plus, I got to see some alumni from the Class of 1973 practice for their "rock concert". 

c) Relay for Life!  A large portion of the student organizations at Hopkins gets together for this community service event (it's for the American Cancer Society).  After an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, I will be walking on the Upper-Quad with Delta Xi Phi.  People will be walking from 7PM-7AM.  Also, a lot of the A Capella groups will be performing, and Miss Relay (cross-dressing competition) will be going on!

d) Spring Fair the following weekend!  I think I'll keep mum about that for a bit because I can/will devote an entire entry to that.  Mainly because I can devote an entire paragraph to the wonders of the "deep-fried Oreo".  So please stay tuned!

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Found it! Enjoy & Peace Out.

Review, review! Fresh from the Press!

As I've been harping for the past 10 weeks, I've decided to lean more towards the Social Science side (in terms of class selection) rather than the Natural Science.  So aside from my Organic Chemistry Laboratory, I've been reading books and writing papers.  My review thus far is this: it's not any "easier"!  Although I thought my previous semesters of Cell Biology, Organic Chemistry, and Microbiology combined was an overwhelming challenge at times, I must confess that I felt the same way this past week.  While writing two-ten page papers (1.5 SPACING: Note- there is no such thing as a "dumb" question; double-spaced should not be assumed to be the standard because some professors actually want something different) and a lab report, I felt the weight of being a "humanities kid".  There really isn't a public dissection of such kids compared to "science kids", but I think we know at heart what we like, what we're good at, and what we truly are.  With that being said, here's the deal: I'm going back and taking Human Anatomy & Physiology next semester!  I miss the science courses (gasp)!  Maybe it's just a better balance in courses in which I am lacking.  But as I mentioned in the previous entry, I will be taking classes at three different institutions next semester, so I think I'll have a nice blend.

Another important distinction I've noticed this semester.  The feeling I had in high school has been creeping up on me!  To a very tangible extent, being the top of your high school class was a stressful role.  What my dad would always say is this: "It's hard because you can't see how close the person behind you is; you just have to keep on chugging forward with all you've got."  That's how I feel this semester is in terms of classes and grades.  Consistently doing well throughout the semester feels good, but I've found myself to be pressured (self-induced) quite often.  For example, I never thought I'd actually enjoy Organic Chemistry Lab, but lo and behold, I'm doing well in the course and I actually enjoy it!  But unlike my previous experiences in the majority of my science courses, I've had the challenge of maintaining and 'A' rather than striving for the 'A'.  To be completely honest, I'm not sure which is better!  Maintenance has definitely been a key theme this semester though!

So after checking out about 30 books from the library this week, reading countless journals at the library (JSTOR is absolutely amazing because the Hopkins community shares in subscriptions to a plethora of journals), and pathetically enduring an "all-nighter", the week is finished!  After the longest Organic Chemistry lab day of the semester -- I went into the lab at 1:30PM and left around 6:45PM -- and having slept zero-to-none the night before AND having not eaten anything until after my lab, I enjoyed a Subway sandwich afterwards and passed out while leisurely watching Reign Over Me on Stars On-Demand.  Waking up four hours later, I feel refreshed yet ready to crawl back into bed until the morning.  Sometimes, Friday nights should be spent doing absolutely nothing except eating, showering, and cuddling in bed! 

PS.  Three more weeks of classes left!  The end is so near.  I am getting thoroughly excited because I'm finally going through the application process for my new off-campus living situation, and I'm setting in stone what I'll be doing this semester.  I excited about the prospects of having a pet next year AND the idea of summer vacation in the new spacious apartment that'll be right next to the Homewood campus!

Special Attention for Juniors!

Two Tasks for Third Year Undergraduates:

1. This past week was the week where third year undergraduates were frantically shuffling to get their "Junior Clearance" completed.  This is the process where students (juniors) speak with their advisers to ensure they know which classes they need to graduate on top.  Thus, I spoke with Dr. James Goodyear, the sole adviser for all Public Health undergraduates, to complete my major checklist.  Interestingly, all Public Health majors are required to complete an 'Ethics Module' because we will be taking classes at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.  The entire idea of taking graduate classes at the SPH is exciting!  I will also be taking advantage of the co-op program between Baltimore universities next year.  This simply means that Hopkins allows me to take a class at Loyola College (or the College of Notre Dame, the women's college).  I will most likely be taking Human Anatomy & Physiology with the corresponding labs.  I will also be registering for a couple of classes at the Homewood campus as well.  Enjoying the knowledge of professors from three separate entities will be the spice I need my last year as an undergraduate.

2. Another task upperclassmen have been dealing with is off-campus housing.  As I explained in the previous post, I currently live five blocks from the Homewood campus.  Although it's simply a 15-minute walk, it seems a bit too grueling when you have a 9AM course.  Plus, a handful of classes at the SPH start at 8:30AM and I will have to take into account travel time on the JHMI Shuttle.  Thus, I have looking into units at apartment buildings directly across from the library (neighbors of Charles Commons).  These are The Charles Apartments and The Blackstone Apartments which are actually owned by the University.   The picture to the left is of the Blackstone.  This apartment building does not compare to the amenities of my current apartment building, but convenience triumphs luxury in college (where time is more previous than ever ... along with sleep).  The nice aspect of the Blackstone is that it has a quaint restaurant on the first floor called "Sweet Retreats".  This place is famous for its gelato!