My First Post

T-minus 26 days to starting my journey through medical school and all my projects leftover on the To Do list are starting to feel less doable. Here is to checking one more thing off my list . . . starting my new blog. It seems like an appropriate time to start, imminent life transition on the horizon it is almost like the beginning of a story. Just a quick catch up on what I have been up to previously before I continue on . . .

Since my graduation from Lewis and Clark College in 2004 I have taken some time to experience the world a little before re-entering the alternative reality that is Student Life. I started with a year and a half stint as a Laboratory Technician in a research lab at the University of Washington in Seattle to get more research experience, as well as to save up for some travel which I did in the following year. In the spring of 2006 I traveled to Guatemala where I spent four months living in the city of Xela learning Spanish (for anyone interested I would recommend my Spanish school El Mundo En Espanol), traveling the country, and volunteering at a children's medical clinic called Primeros Pasos. I fell in love with the country, the language and the people and have since been back twice to visit.

After a summer back home in Alaska working to refill my bank account, I left in the fall to visit friends in Europe. Without much of a plan, I Started in Copenhagen, Denmark and traveled south. I got in touch with a high school friend of mine who was in Spain at the time and we met up and traveled south into Morocco. Of all the countries that I visited, I liked Morocco best for its vibrant colors and smells and the rich culture that is so present. Someday though, when I have more money, I would like to return to Europe to explore the amazing countries that I only got a small taste of in my visit. (I have photo albums from both my Guatemala and Europe trip in my Picasa Web Album)

In January 2006 I started a job at Koronis Pharmaceuticals, a small biotech company testing a new drug to fight HIV. Back in the lab, I was remembering how to think as a scientist again and enjoyed the return to working in the intellectually stimulating environment of scientific research. I Also enjoyed being settled with a schedule after a year of living out of a backpack; it is an amazing experience to travel, but it is also something special to have someplace to call home, where everything has its place and there is comfort knowing that tomorrow, and next week, and next month "home" will be constant.

This spring however, with a big commitment on the horizon, I decided to take advantage of my last few months of unscheduled time. First off a week in Cabo just for a week of sunshine on the beach. Then, after once again packing all my material belongings into a 5x8x11 plywood box, I headed north to mooch off my parents one last time. During my month in Alaska, I finally took the time to be a tourist in my own state and visited Chicken (the town), Chena Hotsprings, and Denali National Park among other places. I also had the chance to show off my Alaska (Homer) when some friends came to visit at the end of June; we sailed around the bay, hiked a mountain, and camped on a beach. (photos).

I left Alaska on the 3rd of July and after a one day layover in Seattle I headed back down south to Guatemala for one last visit. Seems like each time I go, the less prepared I am. Knowing the country it feels more like hopping a plane to another state than another country. I spent a week in Xela with my host family again at the Spanish school, then headed up north to join up with a medical team as an interpreter. Not only did I have a great experience with the nurses and patients in recovery, I also got to see a few surgeries which was very cool. The whole experience got me even more excited to start school.

My last week in Guatemala was spent near Coban in San Cristobal with a friend from college. She was married last Friday (congratulations Lindsey!) to an amazing Guatemalan man who she met while she was in the Peace Corps. The whole family was very warm and welcoming and the wedding was beautiful.

I arrived back in Seattle late Sunday night and on Monday finally got to meet my new niece Iris, who arrived early, leaving me stuck in Guatemala while she took her first looks at the world. I didn't miss anything too big yet though, at two weeks she still hasn't started walking or talking and is still trying to gain control of her facial muscles. But she is adorable, and we are all smothering her with love.

OK, now that you are all caught up, here begins my journey, or continues my journey, as I delve into the next stage of my life. I hope to have a moment to update you from time to time, but no promises. . .