Five months...

I have been thinking…

Not about just one thing, but a lot of thoughts have crossed my mind; some I labored over and others I sent away because they weighed too heavily on me, or they just were not important and could be dealt with another day. But five months is a long time to be thinking of things, at least, that is how long it’s been since I last posted anything on my own blog. I have had two guest blog entries for the Daily Medicine, and thank you Ashley Roxanne for having me and keeping in touch all the time.

I have been thinking a lot about my life and why things worked the way they did and why things didn’t work the way I wanted them to. Anyone who has a goal to pursue would do this, in my opinion, and if you aren’t then I don’t believe you’re going about your intended success the right way. I’m not saying you should labor over the things you did wrong, because you may never move forward and that’s a bad thing. But understanding what you did wrong and trying to learn from that, that is how we should strive to live, learn, progress…

One thing I can’t help but thinking of is how I haven’t been able to finish anything in the past three years. When I say anything, I mean anything truly important to me such as school, reading, writing, working out…things that I set goals with every intention to finish, but fell short in some way shape or form. I’m 25 and struggling to complete the first half of my new endeavors; what’s old will be talked about some other time…for fear of “laboring over the things I did wrong and not moving forward”. But yesterday, July 3^rd, 2016, I finally finished something…a book! Now, to be honest, I’ve finished [reading] four other ones this year alone, but none of them had the impact that I feel now that I’ve finished this particular one. I wanted to read “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi and when it finally reached me through the library system, I picked it up and pushed to finish. It was not a hard read at all, Kalanithi’s words kept me going and I admired everything. I think it is because Kalanithi reached a point in his life that I am struggling to reach: to become a doctor. I admire all doctors, especially the ones I know personally in life. I appreciate everything they have to say. The road isn’t easy and there are plenty of bumps along the way, I for one can tell you that and have YET to reach the end of the road.

However disappointed I may be in myself a lot of times, Kalanithi mentioned something that I (and you as well) should remember: “You can’t ever reach perfection, but you can believe in an asymptote toward which you are ceaselessly striving.” For those who don’t remember asymptotes from math class…your line never reaches a definite distance, you just keep getting closer and closer, but never actually touch it.

PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION.

This is true, because while some of us think that we’ve succeeded in life, or think that we are “perfectionists”, there will always be something for you to work on to get better at. You may be perfect at solving math problems, but your attitude sucks. You may be someone who cleans their house very well, but can’t fathom to hold a decent conversation with someone you just met. There are many examples we could come up with, but the point is: there is something you need to work on in your life. I’m fully aware of my shortcomings and I have constant reminders, especially when I slack off the slightest bit. But I’m trying, I really am. I’m determined to beat my shortcomings…or die trying.

The "bad" feelings we get

For those of us who work and go to school, or just work or just go to school, we understand that these two things, work and school, are going to provide stress at some point. Some of us experience it everyday, some maybe twice a week...some even thrive and NEED stress so that they can keep moving.

But at some point, the stress may become too much. A lot of times, when the stress becomes too much, our emotions take over. We're angry, we're sad, we're irritable, we're unreasonable. We get these "bad" feelings and we absolutely refuse to acknowledge them. We hide them, put them away, whatever it takes to get through the day and accomplish what needs to be accomplished and for the most part, it works.

What happens when it doesn't work?
What happens when you've reached the maximum capacity of bad feelings stored away?
You snap.
You have a melt down.
You cry for the smallest thing and think the world is about to end for you.

And who knows how long it will take for you to recover from that? I'm not going to say that you must always let yourself cry when your day is going sour for you, absolutely not. For the most part, yes, you need to build some tough skin so that you don't break down at the smallest things. But you do need to find an outlet to release your stress.

And I'm not talking about ranting on twitter or facebook or snapchat (which I too am guilty of). I tend to forget that there are people on my side when it feels like no one is. I forget that I have access to a gym where I can run and lift weights and release the toxins in my body, which will make me feel better. I forget that I can go for a walk around my neighborhood if I don't feel like going to the gym. I forget that I believe in God and that I should be praying at ALL TIMES and not just when bad things are happening.

So in conclusion, I just want to tell you all, on this lovely Wednesday morning that the bad feelings we get are not entirely bad, it's okay to feel that way. But it's what you DO with it that counts. I was feeling horrible yesterday and I still do today to some extent but I prayed about it, I did my hair, put on some makeup, and dressed nicely for the ONE class I have today and that makes all the difference.

How do you cheer yourself up? How do you deal with the bad feelings you get?

Shadowing! The ultimate inspiration.

Happy Thursday everyone! Yesterday (and a few other days throughout this year) I had the awesome privilege of shadowing an OB/GYN (Obstetrician/Gynecologist) here in the Miami area. Before I go into detail, here is a small history of how this even started...

Last year I was intent on finding an OB/GYN to shadow since that is the specialty I have been interested as a pre-medical student. I don't remember why I thought the bright idea of googling doctors was a good idea but, thank God it worked after sending several emails to different OB/GYNs in my area. I don't remember how many emails I sent out, but I only got two replies: one doctor who worked at the University of Miami Hospital regretted to tell me she had just retired, and another by the name of Dr. Ernesto Cardenas. He spoke to me personally on the phone about my goals; why did I want to become a doctor? Where am I currently in my studies? Why OB/GYN (for the both of us)?

After a letter of recommendation and my resume were sent, we made plans to start shadowing in January!

snapchat selfies at 7:30 am, when no one's looking...

But back to Wednesday's shadowing. The last time I shadowed, I remembered he said that I would start doing things the next time. I didn't know how much "doing" this entailed but I mentally prepared myself. "Shadowing is not a spectator sport!" he said. I scrubbed in on a Cesarean section, donned the surgical gown, boots, and hat, and observed the cutting of several layers until, voila! The baby was out. I observed the suturing steps and helped with wiping blood off the visual field, and later intently watched the final closing.
I also literally ran from his office to the labor and delivery floor with him, observed a vaginal birth, and shadowed Dr. Cardenas in his private practice.

Be ready for everything! If you're doctor's a hip young fellow, you must be ready for selfies too!

For those of you who are interested in medicine, shadowing a physician is an awesome way to gain understanding as to what a physician does from day to day. I highly recommend shadowing long term because, in my opinion, the more often you're there, the more you'll be able to witness. One or two days won't cut it.

I'm so thankful to Dr. Cardenas for first of all, going out on a limb since he didn't know me AT ALL, and taking me under his wing. I've learned so much this year thanks to him and truthfully, these experiences put everything into perspective and push me to continue to work for my dream. Thank you for the little diagrams you've drawn for me on random pieces of paper, and quick Obstetrics 101 lessons you give me before seeing a patient.

Continue working for yours! Whatever it takes...


-Mel

A Monday inspiration...

When it comes to goals, endeavors, plans, etc. we usually know exactly what we want. We want to graduate college and be successful, fall in love and get married, have a child or two or three...
we WANT to believe it is that easy.
we WANT to believe that we, ourselves, can make it happen.
What we don't want to believe is that success in any form is not an elevator ride.

Success takes several flights of stairs, with you tripping and falling here and there along the way because your shoes were untied, you missed a step, you got TIRED.
And when you're faced with the grief, the ugly part of what helps bring success, you begin to question whether you can do it or not.

What we fail to remember is that success also takes faith. I have made the mistake of not incorporating my faith in God in my endeavors and it has landed me on my hands and knees several times. Because this has happened several times, I've developed fear. What if my efforts aren't enough? Is God hearing me when I pray? Am I even in conjunction with God right now?

First, make sure you get your life in order with God. Righteousness plays a big part in it. If you're doing things that are questionable, take a good look at yourself and get rid of it. Mental health comes next: if you are holding on to fear, and a depressive conscience you are blocking Gods communication to you. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7
Second, GET ON YOUR KNEES and pray. Talk to God, with respect, but as if He were a friend right next to you. Tell Him everything, and hold nothing back. Whatever makes you scared, whatever you're unsure of, whatever worries you- tell Him about it. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. - Philippians 4:6
Last, get up and put forth your best effort in all that you do, remembering that God has heard your prayer. Believe that everything will work out, in due time. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. -Romans 8:25
I have a work to do within myself concerning all of these things, but it would not do well for me to understand and keep them within me. So I'm sharing them with you and encourage you to do the same with others!


For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:11-13

Solo Sunday

Happy Sunday everyone.

I know a lot of us like to say that we like doing things by ourselves, and while that may be true, there are just some things that don't quite work for us to do completely alone. Brunch is one of them.
Now, I didn't originally plan to go have brunch by myself, I had plans with someone else but...

I was stood up.

Literally...it's 4pm and I still haven't heard from the person. And my plans were for 10:45am!

With a little encouragement, I went anyway and had breakfast by myself, with still enough of an experience to blog about which I will at the end of this post but before I do that, I must quickly rant and say this:

Don't make plans if you're unsure that you can keep them. And if it so happens that you can't keep them, let the other person know so they aren't sitting around waiting for you. To be completely honest (and in my opinion of course), it reflects poorly on you if you don't give a courtesy call or text to let someone know you can't make it. Have some respect for others and their time. They don't have all day, thats why "plans" are made.

With that said...let's talk brunch..

 

I googled places to brunch in Miami and sifted through pictures and reviews and instagram posts and thought this place was promising enough. Located on Washington ave in Miami Beach in the lobby of the Angler's Hotel, I feel it's a pretty place to take pictures and have a sweet intimate, or bigger group for brunch. It was way too hot to sit outside so I sat inside instead.

I didn't order too much, just enough to keep me satisfied I guess. I was still feeling awkward by myself. My waiter didn't really help, he was slightly on the clumsy side, a nice kid, but maybe he was new? Who knows. My waffle came with guava butter and maple syrup, which tasted really good, and my mimosa was guava as well which was a pleasantly sweet change from the usual orange juice mimosa.

So maybe I'll have to try this place again with someone who I KNOW won't stand me up, and maybe I'll have a better time. But all in all it wasn't so bad. I just still wish I had someone eating with me. Anyway, happy Sunday, and I hope you enjoyed your day!

It's the end...of the week that is.

Happy Friday! You've made it to the end of the week! How does it feel?
This week was messy for me but it all felt okay yesterday when I walked into Starbucks before work and had two pleasant encounters with strangers. As I was filling my tea with sugar (don't judge...) an older man came to do the same with his coffee and gave me a sweet good morning and some good encouragement for the day. I never expected that because, living here in south Florida, not many people are on that sweet tip in the morning...or at all during the day. So I said a silent "thank you God" and gave the man some well wishes of my own.
Next, a much younger man approached me and said good morning, told me that both me and my natural hair were beautiful, and that he hopes I have a good day.

Is it the end of the world or....?
(Side note: For all of you who know me, usually these encounters end with "soooooooo are you single?" But not this time.)

It's not the end of the world, there just are some people who still believe in being nice to others.
So my question is, have you done anything nice for anyone this week?? If not, make it your business to do so next week. You don't know who you'll be blessing tremendously by just saying one or two nice things, especially in the morning!

Have a great weekend!

Sunday Funday!

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is enjoying this last day of summer break before it's "Back to School" for the rest of Dade and Broward counties tomorrow. Sunday is always a good day to check out restaurants or other places you've never been to, which is my plan for the next few months. But it was extremely HOT so maybe just maybe staying home in the AC wasn't a bad idea if you did.
Anyway, my sister-in-law celebrated her birthday today with brunch at the Daily Creative Food Co. Neither one of us had ever been there so none of us knew what to expect. But after eating and lots of talking, I think we were all satisfied.

Once you come in, you order casually at the front, you're given a number and drink if you ordered one, and then pick a place to sit. Your food is then brought out to you. I had the "Art Deco Chicken Cesar" with parmesan and herb fries and of course, cafe con leche on the side.

I paid $16 and change for this which wasn't bad...in my opinion. The menu though to be honest was intimidating because there was literally PLENTY to choose from. I had to ask the cashier for guidance. But all in all, I was pleased with my food, and so was everyone else!

After that a smaller group of us went to Brick House in Wynwood where we sat, had some drinks, and played "Cards Against Humanity". Interesting card game, I'd definitely play again. That's coming from someone who really isn't into card games (honestly, I can do without them). But soon enough, it got a little bit too hot and we were on our way home. I heard good things about Brick House at night so I'll definitely check it out again.

Happy birthday to my sister-in-law Camila and thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with her!

Hope your Sunday was as awesome as mine, have a good week!