One Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I graduated with a Master's of Health Science degree in Biomedical Science. 

It was such an honorable and humbling experience. 

A Dream Deferred

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What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load. Or does it explode? -- Langston Hughes

8 months since graduating with a Masters degree and still no job to show for it. I go through bouts of anxiousness and being antsy,  but I think that has all boiled down to tiresomeness, anger, and re-evaluation.

Tiresome: because I have spent EIGHT months doing nothing but job-hunting with the highest of hopes of getting hired, especially in such a big city with tons of universities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies.

Angry: because I spent so much time and money on private school degrees and currently have nothing to show for it.

Re-evaluating: because I am no longer sure if this career path that I have chosen is really one that I should pursue.

I mean, I love science, and have had a growing interest in it for several years now. But it does become disheartening when 200+ job applications (yes, you read that correctly -- 217 applications to be exact!!) yield nothing. Employers say they want employees with experience. How do we acquire experience without someone granting us the opportunity to learn? to grow?

I trust in the Lord for His promises to provide and grant me the desires of my heart. He has done it before. More than once. It's just a little difficult seeing where this one will go. Is there a reason why I am losing interest in working as a research laboratory technician? (other than sheer frustration over job-hunting). Is this not what I am called to do?

I guess I just have to continue trusting and see what happens.

'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.'
Proverbs 13:12

Mastered

 

I am a Master of Health Science, everyone!

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Last Class

On this cloudy day, I walked across campus to the last class of my Master's career. I was quite elated at the experience, although my classmates who are also graduating with me did not seem as joyous. In any case, I sat through the long Patho Micro class about parasitic worms and all I could think about was how this is really the end. This is really the end of Grad school -- Mad school (for now)!

Roommates (revisited)

I have had my share of roommates. No, really, I have.

The very first one dated back to the Summer of 2004. I attended a pre-college program at the University of Maryland -- College Park and they just chose a roommate for me. She was BIG and scary looking, although she turned out to be kind of nice. There were some underlying issues that I had with her, but overall, I was able to handle them.

Freshman year of college, I had the nice roommate. She was my first friend in college and we got along exceptionally well. The only problem I had with her was the uncleanliness. I come from a house that was cleaned from top to bottom (by myself) every. single. weekend. and to live in a messy little 16'x12' room for the duration of the school term was almost unbearable. I tried to throw hints at her by cleaning my side of the room every once in a while, but it didn't matter much. Although, when she got the cleaning bug, she got it good and her side would be spic and span in no time.

My roomie freshman year decided to transfer schools and so I was received another roomie sophomore year. She was nice too. We had a few science classes the year before, she was pretty quiet and stayed to herself, and we had many friends in common. We had some good times overall. However, she did have a boyfriend who visited quite often. Once again, it is awkward sharing a tiny space with another individual. Luckily, I had friends who lived in dorms close by and allowed me to spend the weekend there to avoid the awkwardness.

Junior year, I had a third roommate. I was hoping to get a single this year, but my housing lottery number failed to grant me that option. This roommate was one year my junior, and I would classify her as an okay roommate. We bonded over Arthur (yes, we were indeed college students), Private Practice and Greys Anatomy, but I hardly knew her and that caused a strain in our little dorm environment. Nevertheless, we got through the academic year and all was well.

Senior year, I finally got that single I was banking for since sophomore year. It was lovely. I didn't have to deal with anyone else. I was as loud as I wanted to be, kept the lights on all night for my late-night study sessions, and I didn't have to feel a sense or awkwardness or share a small living space with someone I hardly knew. This was the same case my first year of graduate school I luckily got a 2 bedroom apartment and no roommate. I did not have to deal with the stress of sharing a niche with some one else.

Fast-forward to my second semester of graduate school. I am still living in graduate housing, but this time, I'm in a house. It's a pretty big house, and my housemate and I have our own rooms, so the only space we do share is the kitchen, bathroom and maybe the outside deck when it gets warmer. I've identified many of my dislikes regarding this housemate early in the semester, but many of them still remain. She doesn't know me. I get that. Other than my major, my schedule, and my engagement, she knows very little else about me. That is because we usually lock ourselves in our rooms and only speak concerning the internet/cable bill/mail/leaking roofs or when we happen to cross paths in the kitchen. I get all of that. What I fail to understand is why she still locks her room door when going to the the bathroom, magically pulls out a supply of toilet/ paper towel when the roll is low to avoid using the last bit of it, or takes all of her things to the recycling bin leaving my one or two containers behind, or even why this always happens whenever I enter the house.

*sigh*

I feel as though I'm going off on a rant and that was not the purpose of this post. I only wanted to discuss the pattern I have observed while living with roommates/housemates. There is always a level of discomfort when living with other people, but I have always managed to make it work and get through it. I understand the dismay of living with unfamiliar people,  but why make it more daunting and unpleasant? We don't have to become best friends, but it would be nice to at least feel comfortable in my living space.

What are your thoughts/advice on dealing with roommate awkwardness?

This Is Going to be a Toughie

A phone call from my adviser informing me that I passed my comprehensive exam.

 Graduation tickets mailed to loved ones.

Alumni cards.

Being handed my cap and gown at the Commencement Fair.

Job Career Hunting.

Starting to realize that I will be saying good-bye to some amazingly loving people very soon. 

It's all happening at such lightening speed! 

I don't know which emotion to feel: pride? fear? happiness? sadness?

I guess I feel all of those emotions. 

This one is going to be harder than I thought it would be.

Happy Dance

Let the countdown begin!

There are only 6 weeks of grad school left. 

:Cue my happy dance:

I do a little jig for just about every bit of good news.

ツ

Lately

1. I was never much of a fan of polishing my (finger) nails, but I am now! I am starting to find colors that complement my skin color, and that makes nail polishes fun again. 

2. Somedays, I have too much to do and so little time, that I just do take out for dinner. It truly takes some stress away.

3. Weather-wise, this week was beautiful. Campus was buzzing and there were so many people outside in the courtyard taking in the sun. I don't think I have ever seen this many people outside at one time since I started attending this school.... maybe I'm exaggerating. 

4. So, you know how I bragged about spending my spring break doing absolutely nothing... yea, well that caught up with me. I stayed up ALL night Thursday night trying to finish a lab report. No caffeine, just pure will-power kept me motivated. I have to say though, that once I finished watching the sun rise at around 7:30 am, I HAD to take a nap... and woke up 2 hours later to complete the assignment. I felt like a zombie all day. Lesson learned.

"Beat Yale!"

I was able to cross another thing off of my CT Bucket list this past weekend. I attended a school sporting event: the sold out QU vs Yale hockey game. When I stated that I wanted to "attend a QU athletic game", this was the game I had in mind! There was such a hype around it last year that I just had to see what it was about. Granted, I'm not a hockey fan in the least bit, but I really enjoyed myself. The student section had super energized fans and they just made it really fun. Here are some pics from the event:

 

 

 After 5 minutes of overtime, the game ended in a tie.

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Appreciation for Weekends

What a difference a weekend makes. Seriously! Just Friday evening I was highly stressed about life and school. 2 exams this week. Getting headaches during class lectures. Not being able to comprehend anything in class, and performing experiments in lab just because the procedures were previously outlined. I felt lost.. I felt as though there was an even deeper level of feeling lost. I only have a few months of school left, but if it were not for that promise, I don't know how I would make out.

I now completely understand why many who want to pursue higher degrees take a few years off from school. The constant drill of information being poured into your head and the need to regurgitate it at a specific time is nauseating. Absolutely. Positively.
(I feel like this is right on!-- sometimes)

This weekend, I did some schoolwork, but in my own time. I enjoyed to 2 days of not feeling obligated to do much and I think that helped me a lot. I no longer feel overwhelmed, and I hope that feeling is carried throughout this week (and the remainder of the semester). 

I never thought I would get to this point of feeling so drained, stressed and overwhelmed with graduate school. But I guess things like this sneak up on you sometimes.

Today, I declare my sincere appreciation for weekends.

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Letters

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Dear Housemate,
I've heard your wet, mucous-filled cough since you returned from your weekend at home. Rest assured, I will be disinfecting every single common surface (bathroom door, refrigerator/freezer handles, thermostat, etc) we touch to get rid of those fomites once your cough has subsided.

QU classes,
Could your classes be anymore segregated? I'm not sure why it's taken me this long to realize it, but I have and I don't like it one bit. My pathogenic microbiology class has all the guys in the back corner on the left side of the classroom. All of the females are then tucked away in the back on the right side of the classroom. All the Saudis stick together in the front, and myself, 2 other black girls and my Asian friend are clumped together on some other end of the room. It sickens me. I've decided to break the mold. I'm sitting in the middle of the class from now on! 

Dear Patho Micro professor,
You are too intriguing for words. I adore your animal themed ties, and the random one with gram-negative bacteria. Your subtle little quirky jokes always make me giggle during lecture. And, I also think that playing "dolls" with your 3 year old daughter is endearing and was the best way to avoid writing up a Turning Point clicker quiz for us today.

The CT Bucket List

The graduation equation: 1 comp exam + 2 classes - 5 months = GRADUATION

That's right! In 5 months, I will be a Master of Health Sciences. "Exciting" is not sufficient enough to describe this impending milestone.

Since my time in Connecticut will be over in no time, I have developed a list of all the things I would like to do before graduation and moving back to Philly. 

The list:

1. Take a ferry across the Long Island Sound
2. Visit a lighthouse
3. Visit a beach
4. Eat at a few (at least 3) restaurants in New Haven/Hartford
5. Visit Mystic, CT... go to the aquarium or go on a boat ride
6. Visit Lyman Orchards
7. Meet up with at least one of my three aunts who live in Connecticut/Massachusetts
8. Attend a QU athletic game
9. Participate in an event hosted by these people

Although this list is not extensive, it does run the gamut of all the things I imagined myself doing as I learned what the state has to offer. CT is such a beautiful state, full of grandeur, bursting with hills, gorgeous landscape, and over all a lot of places to see. I truly hope to complete this list and record it in life's book of memories.

ツ

Christmas Party and Columbian Food (sans Columbian Food)

This past weekend was very fun for me. One of the women from church invited me to her 13th Annual Christmas party. Her and her husband have been doing it for years (obviously), and it has grown so much, they had to add an extension to the house to accommodate everyone. It's true. There were upwards of 100 people there that night, although it did not seem like it.

All invited guests were asked to bring a $5 grab bag gift and our "favorite snack". I didn't want to do the cliche chips and dip, so I ventured out a bit and prepared oven  baked bbq wings. (I tried one at home. They were really good. I also got compliments at the party). For the $5 grab bag gift, I purchased a set of 4 coffee mugs that came with a metal stand from Pier 1. I was surprised about the price myself! As you all read previously, I have a newfound love of that store.

All in all, it was a great time of fellowship with the people from church. I got to see all the familiar faces and actually exchanged a few words with the ones that I've only seen from afar. With the grab bag gifts we brought, we played the "gift exchange game". I chose a gift bag with Andes chocolate mints and a $10 gift card to Target. Obviously that gift bag was over the $5 mark, but I'm not complaining. Also, because I had a higher selection number, I got to keep my gift, and no one decided  to take it from me.

On Sunday, I was to have lunch with a Colombian family at one of their recommended restaurants after church. Sadly, the wife was sick and we had to rain check it (probably until I return from Christmas break).

This is the last week of classes for the semester. I have a total of 3 finals to complete, and then I'm home-free for a month! Of course, my laptop decided to die 2 weeks before finals (JUST like last year) and I am left freaking out over:

1. not having a means of studying my powerpoint slides
2. making my vision worse by staring at my iTouch's little screen for long periods of time, and
3. realizing that not having a computer is not half bad. I waste way too much time doing nothing on it, anyway.

Thank God for warranties, though. I got that thing shipped off and fixed in less than a week.... Now, if UPS and I can stop playing tag so I can actually receive my laptop and study for my finals, I would be quite elated.

**Photos from party will have to be posted once I get my computer back. **

Tunnel

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I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have registered for my final semester. Only 6 credits (and the completion of this semester) stand between me and graduation.

Do you know what that means?  I am really close to becoming a Master of Health Sciences. How awesome is that?! This calls for dancing!

Fall Semester

The fall semester is well underway, as it is now the fourth week of classes. I am enrolled in Pathophysiology, Histology lab and a Cellular and Molecular (protein based) lab. My classes are going well so far. As usual, there is that one class that just doesn't stand up to the rest... Histology. The class I wanted oh so badly, is now just a ball of regret every time Tuesday evenings roll around. I just find myself saying "If I weren't in this class, I could've gone to the Women's Bible Study at church this Fall". ha! I even considered switching courses the first week, but I could find another class that I was actually interested in taking, therefore I am deemed stuck with it.

Granted, histology should be an interesting class. I was actually super excited about it during the summer because I was learning a lot of histological techniques in the lab, but this class is nothing like what I experienced at FCCC. Also, it's a dry lab. (Trust me... no fun can come out of observing previously prepared slides under a microscope ALL SEMESTER LONG.) Also, the professor is a little dry. She seems pretty young. No, I'm not stating that age is directly correlated to experience, but she could use a little umph in her teaching. She is well versed in the subject and knows her stuff, but her powerpoint presentations consists of photos of slides, and her lecture is just her reading definitions and descriptions of different cell and tissue types from her little binder. I often find myself going nuts with all the thoughts of:
1) how bored I am and
2) how frustrating it is to take notes when the 3 types of connective tissue proper and their descriptions are being read explained to me at lightenting speed.

(Ok, I'm breathing now. I promise.) I just wish it were more enjoyable.

Other than that, things are looking up. I'm almost 3/4 of the way done with my Masters. That is a feat on its own.

Who Invited Her?

 {Photo}

'Drama, y'all... Okay!'

(Haha, just kidding. I've been watching way too much Girlfriends, lately)

It was inevitable. Drama with the housemate. It was inevitable. 

I have no problem with her wanting to lock herself in her room the very first week. Or, with her snubbing me everytime I came home. Heck. If she wanted to fumble with her keys in the darkness at midnight because she feared that I would run into her room and steal something while she went to use the potty, then that was on her!

I think we're slowly moving past that... Hopefully. (Because I hate feeling uncomfortable in my own living environment).

I do, however, have a problem with being asked at the last minute if it was okay for her friend to spend a few nights at the house because she lives 2 hours away and it's a long commute. Honestly, I don't have a problem with it, b/c we have individual rooms and ample space in the house to not run into each other. Also, with graduate housing, all utilities except cable and internet are included and we pay for it all at once per semester. It is an inconvenience though b/c now we're sharing the fridge space, bathroom and toilet paper with a third person. I am not a happy camper. 

Luckily. I've met this "friend" before. We had lab together last semester and she actually seems like an okay person. Also, she's married, so I know that her husband will miss her and she truly will not be here for more than "one or two nights a week". 

*Sigh* 

Why do I always end up in situations like this?

*Click* *Beeep*

*Click* *Beeep*

That, my friends, was the sound of power being restored to our house at 10:22 this morning (98+ hours after it went out  on Sunday). I let out a little loud scream as I realized what was happening. It was pure bliss. I was happy to see that light in my closet go on again.  ツ

I bought 2 candles to use last night, too and had to face one of my greatest fears... 

*lighting a match*

Yea, I said it. I was always afraid that I will be singeing off my top layer of skin (which is most likely dead, anyway).

Me, Myself and Irene

I knew the storm would hit my the Philly area by late Saturday afternoon, which meant that it wouldn't reach Connecticut until Saturday evening, into Sunday at midnight. I had the choice between staying at home until Monday to wait out the storm, or gunnin' it to Connecticut early Saturday morning.... I decided on the latter. I left Philadelphia around 8 am and arrived on campus at 11:30 am. It was cloudy, but not much more in terms of precipitation. The rain began around 6 pm. At that time, my new house mate decided to pack up and 'peace out', leaving me in a huge rancher by myself.

It was okay at first, I could hear the rain pounding on the sun roof. That was comforting enough to put me to sleep, especially since I had only slept for 3 hours the night before. I woke up around 2 pm  to the sound of the rain pounding on the sun roof, and the constant hounding of the wind. I called the beau, talked for a while then went back to sleep.

I woke up again around 8:30 am, Sunday morning, and read a text from one of my classmates that said "I already lost power". I didn't think much of it, but then I looked over to the closet (where I kept the light on over night) and realized that the light was no longer on.

The rain continued until 2pm, and then everything began drying up. Not much damage was done, except the leaky sunroof that left a small puddle in my bedroom and the living room, a somewhat flooded basement, and tree limbs, leaves and twigs scattered about the streets.

I even saw a few wild turkeys come out of hiding. It started with just 2 of them. They ran down the street making loud war cries. With that call, the two became three. Three became five, and five then became about nine or ten. The turkeys were on a wild goose chase trying to find each other. I was in the car trying to decided where to drive to while they scurried pass me. The birds were so large and swift in movement,  that I decided to just stay in the car and take pictures from afar.

The power is STILL out. It's been about 29 hours now. Who knows how long it will take to have it up and running again. Good times....

As Summer Winds Down

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Farewell, Summer 2011!

I can't believe the last days of summer vacation have crept in so swiftly!
The days are getting somewhat cooler; the thunderstorm/flash flood season has arrived in full force; and the sun sets at least 20 to 30 minutes earlier now.

Although it seems as if the weeks flew by this year, it still felt like a long and fulfilling summer. I didn't go to this beach this year, and did not actually spend time away from home, but any time away from school is a vacation to me.  ツ

I was able to (1) learn a LOT, (2) meet new people, and (3)spend time with those that matter most.

I return to Connecticut in a few days. I will be completing the final year of my Masters program. (That time has passed very quickly as well).  I'm looking forward to completing this phase, and moving on to a 'non-school-related' phase in life. I am also looking forward to the new (mis)adventures that I will experience, and the life lessons that will be learned this round. Let's go!!

Goodbye, For Now

The semester has ended. I have successfully completed the first year of my Masters program. Quite a bit has happened in the past few weeks, which I've documented in photos. They kind of tell a story for themselves, but I will also write little blurbs about each set. Overall, I can just say that I am grateful for all that I have learned and encountered within the past school year. I have gained a few friends a small sense of independence, a lesson in budgeting money (kind of), and a wonderful church family.

-- I finally decided to hang out with the guys from last semester's neuro class. We went hiking at Sleeping Giant again, and followed it up with some lunch. It was my first time having dim sum and authentic Chinese food in general. Good times!

I also had to take part in the School of Health Sciences' inter-professional poster day last week Friday. I went through all of it with zero sleep. By the time the poster session ended and I drove home and ate dinner, it had been at least 25 hours since I had last slept (which was a mini-nap I took Thursday afternoon). Needless to say, I completely crashed around 7:30 that evening.

This occupational therapy group was located next to my station. They got a lot of attention because of their demonstrations. I learned so much about their class, their individual project, and their overall assignment just by standing next to them for 3 hours!.. Supposedly, a farmer would be very happy and struggle-free if they were to possess these ergonomic farming tools. 

-- The following day, I went to a Mother's day breakfast at church. I was apprehensive about going fearing that it would be too awkward to be there. One of the women opted to be my "step-mom" (her words). I quickly accepted that title, although I consider her more of a spiritual mother. Breakfast was enjoyable. We had a guest speaker from Gateway International.

Christine and Donna... two of the women I had dinner with a few weeks ago. 

Pauline, my "step mom". 

-- At my last Bible study of the season, they planned a little get-together for me. Applesauce cake, a card, gifts, hugs and a prayer were my parting gifts. I also snapped a photo of everyone. ツ



 

I also think this pic was funny...The ladies as they assembled themselves for a pic.

The school year has come to a close. I bid a temporary farewell to Connecticut today... CT, Goodbye for now. 

ツ