My first year of grad school is over. In some ways it dragged on forever, and in others it went by in a flash. As I embark on my first of two summer internships, I have some time to sit and reflect on all of the experiences I have been through in the past nine months. When I arrived at school at the end of last August, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I went in with a sort of nervous anticipation, just sort of waiting for my life to change. Now, at the end of May, I can honestly say that my life really did change. I met some of the most amazing and brilliant people imaginable. I learned so much about the field of public health and the career I want to pursue. I survived a New England winter. I experienced the most incredible highs and also some extremely wretched lows. I was tested in every way possible. Sometimes I passed, quite a few times I failed, but regardless, I picked myself up every time, and I survived. When asked what I learned this year, I could tell you about all of the practical things, such as the principles of epidemiology, or biostatistics, or how to manage data using SAS. Those things are all important. However, as I reflect, it is not those classroom experiences that will define my time in grad school. Instead it is the knowledge that life is unfair and harsh and cruel and vibrant and beautiful all at the same time. What we are and who we are to become is a result of our individual journeys and includes not only the glory and the triumphs, but also the trials and tribulations. I end this school year knowing that the tools I have come away with should be used to help others, in whatever arena that may be. Just one person, with one idea, can have a huge impact on the entire world.
I am not the same person I was at this time last year. Can I say who I am now? Not exactly. I just know that I am poorer financially, but richer in knowledge and spirit and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
My first year of grad school is done! I am back home in Southern California, about to start my first of two internships, but more on that later.
Something really cool happened today. About a year ago, I stumbled across the blog of a fellow Southern Californian, Matt. Matt has a beautiful daughter named Madeline and he blogs about his life with her. What makes Matt’s story unique, however, is that the day after Madeline was born, her mother passed away, and since then Matt has been raising Madeline on his own while dealing with the loss of his wife.
When I first started reading Matt’s blog, my friend Laura had just had her baby, Aiden. In buying gifts for Aiden, I somehow got put on a mailing list, and suddenly, tons of free, but useless baby stuff started coming my way. I had more formula than any childless woman could ever want, and I immediately thought to send it to Matt and Maddy. Along with the formula, I sent a pair of pink converse for Madeline (because every girl needs a cute pair of pink shoes) The only problem was that at the time, they were much too big for her. I knew it would take about a year before she could actually wear them. Since then, I have been reading Matt’s blog religiously. Not only because I love his posts, but also because I was waiting for the day where I finally caught a glimpse of Maddy wearing the pink converse. Today I got my wish. Not only did I get a glimpse, but there was a full on foot picture of her sporting the shoes! She makes them look so good!
Check it out here;
www.mattlogelin.com
Come finals, I turn into a crabby monster. The lack of sleep and improper eating habits really starts to take a toll. I actually was looking quite demonic on Tuesday with a bright red left eye that hurt like a mother and looked like it was going to fall out of the socket.
Leave it to Janice to always know just what to do to make me feel better. On Wednesday I received an interesting package.
Upon closer inspection, I realized the contents may be edible
It even came with its own fridge pack
The card was absolutely awesome!
And the contents????
Chicken Noodle Soup!!!
Just what I needed to make all my finals blues go away.
Thanks, Jano, for being the great friend that you are and for sending me love across the miles. I couldn’t get through this whole grad school thing without you!
