Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Yo estoy orando por ti.

A few weeks ago I tried posting some videos, but blogspot had other plans, and I had to give up. I have since then turned to youtube and posted my videos on there. The following three videos were from the Mexican Independence celebration that a group of us from UAG attended.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60KvapW8kV8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djBjyJUOj3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wTLTyHG0q4
The first two are the ones that I talked about in my blog on September 16th, the third is a bonus!!

This will be great. Perhaps I'll start taking more videos now!!

I'm debating quitting med school to become a neck model. Yes, I will make a living with my neck. Ok, so not really, totally joking there, but here's the story. For a class, which we refer to as NFP (don't worry about what that stands for) we are split in small groups (6 in mine) and doctors from the Latin program meet with us and talk to us about the interview, clinical history, physical exam, etc. When in need of a patient the doctor (or doctora depending on the day) will ask for a volunteer and one of the guys in our group of 6 will eventually unwillingly volunteer. However, when needing a patient to demonstrate a neck maniobra (I don't know what that translates as) the doctor that day looks at me and asks me to come be the patient, no option to say no there! I'm attributing this to the fact that I guess God gave me a long neck (according to one of the doctoras), and even moreso to the fact that almost always my hair is up and off my neck.

News that has been buzzing around Guadalajara for quite some time now, but I've been ignoring is the large number of individuals contracting and suffering from Dengue, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitos. Schools today and tomorrow throughout the city are being closed for fumigation. No news of UAG thinking about that. In fact the only UAG doctor who's brought up the topic has been our Micro doctor who suddenly stopped lecture one day to wildly chase after a lone mosquito yelling "Dengue! Dengue!" and trying to swat it. A scene now commonly reenacted outside of class to much laughter.
In all reality though, I'm more concerned with the increasing number of my classmates who show up to class hacking all over everyone. So I guess in between H1N1, Dengue, and hacking classmates to not get sick will be a miracle.

I must now go wash my hands.....again!

Hasta!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Yo estoy cuidando de Michael.

I've talked about the poor quality of Seris, the street I live on, before. I now have evidence. The holes that have caved in/been dug are currently sitting outside my building.


The first day three individuals were working digging to and then fixing a pipe at the bottom of the hole. Well they kind of just sat there half the time, but the job eventually got done. Holes have yet to be filled in. I'm guessing a few more days and then that will be happening. In the meantime, they just be sitting there waiting to gobble up someone or their car or both.

Now that the first two groups have finished our surgery rotations, the third group gets to start this week. Triffinie is in the third group, so I've got Michael with me while she's ocupada.


He's playing computer games on his little baby computer. He just asked me,"what does this key do?" Upon my explanation that I had never played the game before and therefore did not know, he concluded, "I think it doesn't do anything!" The game is muted, but that doesn't stop Michael from creating his own sound effects. He's very absorbed in his graphic world right now!

We started Pathophysiology today. The doctor, Dr. Glasker, passed out his buisness card to all of us at the begining of class. O la la! But then in his introduction he referred to the bathroom as the "pee-pee room" so our value/respect of him is in the midst of a rollar coaster ride currently at the bottom of a big drop. We'll see how the rest of the ride plays out.

Hasta!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Yo estoy anxiosa.

Friday and done with yet another week of class, and about to embark on my next weekend of being holed up in my apartment with computer, books, paper, and pencil, but thought I'd write a bit first.

Talking to Issa last weekend she told me a bit about nursing school. We joked about how even though she knows no one outside of her own class, apparently the whole school knows her. Wearing a long skirt is kind of odd in Mexico. Then she mentioned how an upper semester boy makes fun of her a lot. I just told her it's cuz he likes her...then we laughed again. Issa and Lupita have both had to learn a long time ago the opinions of others don't matter.

I have recently recovered from a mosquito bite on the BOTTOM OF MY FOOT! How in the world some random mosquito managed that I have no idea, but I give it props for being inventive and daring and I guess.....succeeding.

For the past month, the guayaba tree on my way to class has been producing fruit. As a result, I get to walk upon an aromatic bed of squashed guayabas everyday as I pass beneath it's branches. I just made that sound kind of romantic...it's not.

I made it through my surgery final!!! After being sick during surgery last week and having to lay down, I was rather apprehensive going into my final as I obviously would not pass if it happened again. I had felt better ever since Monday, but it kind of turned into a mind game with me, and I was almost making myself sick cuz I was so worried about getting sick. (if that makes any sense.) Anyways, I made it through no problem! I'm going to miss surgery now that it's over. :(

Bible study this week was held at my apartment again. The reason being: Food! We had someone making arroz con leche, someone with hot chocolate, and myself with banana bread. It was all really good! It'll be hard to go back to no food next week! hehe!

Hasta!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Yo estoy ocupada.


Issa and Lupita's mom, Lourdes, tatted me a long veil. It's beautiful. Bo thought so too and wanted to try it on.

Found myself studying by candlelight last night. A storm took out the electricity at about 7. During a lull in the rain I ventured out with my umbrella and took a quick walk down to the oxxo. It was rather eerie walking back as dark quiet houses stared ominously at me as I made my way home. ooooooooooo (imagine pitch inflection there). Woke up this morning still without electricity, but thankfully it was back on by the time I came home for lunch.

Hasta!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Yo estoy triste!

It was quite the happening weekend back home, and I am rather sad that I missed it. :(
I was able to get to Ixtlan finally after too long of not being there. Marshall and Jan are in Barra Vieja so I stayed with the Sibajas. They had a small crevice where I was able to maneuver my car and thus leave it at their house and not at the church. Issa, Lupita and I spent Saturday evening at the church for Young Group. When we got back to the house their mom, Lourdes, informed me that the dad, Felix, had found himself with nothing to do so he had vaccumed my car. How embarrassing! I don't think I've vaccumed my poor little car once,and thus it had been very dirty. It looks amazing now!
Matt Gerber's parents were visiting. They don't know any spanish, but that didn't stop them from joining right in on volleyball. I was on the team with both Neil and Lisa Gerber. Starting out we didn't have much luck, but we got better as the night wore on and the following is a bit of dialogue that took place after we had finally won a game.

Neil Gerber: Yea! Hasta la vista!
Gloria Gonzalez: Where are you going?
(snickering)
Neil: huh?
Gloria: You just said goodbye.
(laughing)
Neil: Oh I did! That was Spanish? I thought it was Italian.
(doubled-over laughing)
Neil: I thought it was something along the lines of YEA! or GOOD JOB! or FINALLY!
(having-trouble-breathing laughing)

anyhoo, it was really funny!

Hasta!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Yo estoy en clase.

I've brought my computer to class with me today, and am trying to listen to viruses and get some stuff done at the same time. Don't judge me just yet...the girl in front of me has earphones in her ears and is watching episodes of Criminal Minds on her computer.

Once again, I'm so sorry I couldn't get those videos to load, but here's a few photos from the night instead.


This is the group of us that met together to enjoy the festivities at the city center. One of my classmates who, ehm, wasn't thinking too clearly, had grabbed my camera and shoved it into the hand of a random Mexican. My eyes popped!, but in the end it was safe in my hands again, and I've now got this really nice photo of everybody.


On our way to the center of the center.



The fireworks were absolutely amazing. The crowds were so close!!! Nothing like it would ever happen in the US. Only once, that I saw, did stray sparks careen into the crowd behind me scattering people. But don't worry...


They had firefighters posted and ready with their bag of water on their backs. In the end, the worst I got was pieces of ash and carboard falling on me.

All-in-all a great experience!
Quote of the night: "What kind of 4th of July is this?!?!" ~ Shady Hawatmeh

We held Bible study at my apartment last night due to campus being closed for the holiday. We've started Esther this week. I was apprehensive about going over a book from the Old Testament as I would rather have the Bible study focused more on Jesus himself and hence the New Testament. However, God knows best, thankfully! Those in attendance, ate it up, and asked for more. I thought I'd be able to go rather quickly through the story, but I was basing that on myself who has heard about Esther since I was little. We got through the first three chapters last night. At the end one of my classmates asked, "so...then who is Esther?" In other words, so...why are we reading about this girl?, why is she so special? Prayers for God's continued presence amongst the hearts attending for Bible study every week, that His word and truth may be spoken no matter what is in discussion.

Hasta!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Yo estoy feliz.

Today is Mexico's Independence Day! No class today!! Wippee! Last night was mucho fun! Mexican's love their celebrations so much they start at 12:00 am and will probably last till 11:59 pm tonight, although I doubt I'll see that one.

I've got some videos of the night, but just keep in mind that they don't do it justice.

This year, due to drunken fights that have repeatedly broken out over the years, they had made a few changes. El Grito took place at 11:00 instead of at midnight, and no alcohol was being sold in the area. Our group, arrived to the centro just before 11:00. For the longest time we were just streaming our way through the crowds. I was clear at the end, so had no clue where we were headed, but that was fine as I was too busy looking around to worry about where I was actually going. We arrived to the main area of action just as the clock chimed 11. I started the following video at 11:00:04, so unfortunately the first 4 seconds of el grito are cut off. ("el Grito" translated literally would mean 'the shout'.) The building I'm walking towards is the main government building. The governor of Jalisco and other important people are standing on it's balconey's calling out el grito. You will hear the crowds responding with "Viva!" (p.s. turn your volume all the way up to get as close to what it was really....but that's not possible)


The fireworks were absolutely amazing. Not because they were elite fireworks, but because of their proximity to the crowds. Firework towers were standing in the middle of the crowds, the closest to me about 10m. And the rest being shot off of buildings directly over the crowds. I have two videos of the fireworks, but choose the second because it shows how I had three places to look to watch all the display. The camera kind of jerks back and forth from one spot to the next, sorry about that.

Ok, so neither of the videos uploaded successfully. They were probably too long. This saddens me as I really wanted to share with you a bit of Mexico. :( See pictures in following post.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Yo estoy apurando.

I've got to be back in class shortly but wanted to write something as I felt a bit guilty for not getting that far down on my list yesterday. As with every other Monday I had my list of things to do after the exam, but I bet you'll never guess what I did instead when I got home for the day. I couldn't believe it either, but my Path book was just sitting there saying "Read me! Read me!" reminding me of how much I need to read for that class. I couldn't resist and started reading. It only lasted about an hour as then my list started chiding me for neglecting it so. (Books and pieces of paper have now started talking to me?! This can not be good!)

I had never done yoga before in my life, to be honest, I always thought it was kind of ridiculous. After a long story, which I'm jumping straight to the end, last Friday I ended up doing some yoga. The session is 1 1/2 hours. I made it through 45 min. and was sore the next day!!!! Can I just say, Oh My Word!!! I'm going to do it again this afternoon, and I WILL complete all 90 min. I don't have class tomorrow (Mexico's Independence Day!) so I can take care of any resulting sore muscles by wimpering in my apartment while attempting to study!

Last, but not lest, I mentioned before of a soccer game that I was able to attend. While there I found the fact that popcorn men wandered the stands selling bags of popped microwave popcorn to be quite hilarious! Take a look!



Hasta!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Yo estoy cocinando.

I followed a pigeon for a while walking home today. It had a purple iridescent ring around it's neck.

Yesterday I thought to myself that it was starting to get really warm again, must be because it hasn't rained in a few days. Then it rained early this morning. Definitely cooled things off again.

Discovered the name of my neuropharm doctor, Dr. Schriefer. You can add that to the 'life-altering effects' quote from the last post and to this one.
"This is where your skin dies and falls off. This could be fatal!" ~ Dr. Schriefer

I find it odd that I've been able to quote Dr. Schriefer. He's actually not that funny. In fact, general consensus of the class puts him more on the droning, boring end of the scale.

Someone else is now storing their washing machine at my apartment. Having an almost empty apartment is coming in handy for both me and quite a few others now.

Official announcement was now finally officially made that starting next semester we'll have to be in white, all white, all day. :( Apparently it was supposed to go into effect this semester, but no one actually told us about it.

I shall leave you with the wise words of our new Pathology doctor.
"Well, we are fried. I mean, we are fritos." ~ Dr. Montiel

Monday, September 7, 2009

Yo estoy pensando.

Mondays are housekeeping days. Wake up, do last minute studying until the dreaded hour when I go and realize just how much I've yet to learn. Then return home and take care of the mess that has built up over the week. Today that mess involves the floor and the bathroom. Yipee! (note sarcasm!)

Friday I got to go to a soccer game! I know it was irresponsible of me, but my brain tends to explode when I don't give it a break every now and then, and the tickets were free, and, and.....well how could I pass up soccer?!?!?! It was so much fun. Santos were playing against Estudiantes Tecos. Technically being affiliated with UAG myself I should have cheered for Estudiantes, but one of my friends who went was a die-hard Santos fan, plus they had green uniforms, so of course I had to cheer for them. Santos won, so glad I could cheer for them! Attending a soccer game in Mexico is quite the experience. Estudiantes doesn't have a very large fan base so I'd say this was a good way for me to start. I'll explain. First, my friend told us not to wear green just in case Santos won, and some crazy Estudiante fan was upset and decided to take it out on us. Upon entering the gate into the stadium, guys were padded down. Heavily armored guards patroled the field. At the end of the game a fight broke out, and it rained coke and beer from the stands down onto the field. HA, I think I'm ready to take on a Chivas vs. Atlas game now!

Here's a few quotes from the past week:
In Microbiology:
"If you ever got eaten by a lion and you had toxoplasmosis, you'd have the last laugh."
~ Dr. Procop

In Neuropharm:
"You need to know the life-altering effects, like death."
(don't know this guys name yet)

About time I updated a little on the Bible study:
Some new individuals are coming this semester making our average weekly attendence larger than last semester. Praise God! Pray for those coming, no matter what their reasons for coming are, that they could hear truth, and that truth could build a desire for them to know more.
Satan has changed his tactics a bit this semester. Pray that the wisdom, love, and patience of Jesus would abound and defeat him yet again.

God Bless and thank you.
Hasta!