I'm on the island...

So just to start off, this is probably how frequently you can expect updates to this blog. I will try my damnedest to throw up some cool updates but no promises.

So I got here without any major malfunctions:
-Flight: no major delays (actually got to SXM on expected time)
-To campus: grabbed a cab for $10 and the guy was nice enough
-Apartment: AUC guard at the gate did his job, got me to the apartment and so far so good.

First impressions:
-So the island is a bit more run down than I expected (guess I was comparing it to Puerto Rico). I really had no idea what I was getting into since this is my first visit to St. Maarten ever. But from all the TV ads and hype I thought it would be more touristy and resort-y but maybe that's just my chunk of the island that's like that (yes MY chunk...I own this place for the next two years!).
-Locals seem fairly laid back and nice so far, but then again I usually don't have a problem being in foreign places and having traveled throughout India have met my fair share of weirdos.
-The apartment is nice (no Student Village by any means [ref. to BU friends]) but I have my own room and bathroom, the place is decently furnished, we lucked out and got a balcony, we are on the second floor close to the elevator and stairs, and the place is fully air-conditioned!

Also met some other first years today and we went out for Thai at the Atlantis Casino (which is literally 500 ft. from the school). NICE!

The following are just some quick pictures of the place, enjoy!

Kitchen:

Balcony:


Bathroom:


Bedroom:

The Transition

For all intents and purposes the paperwork is all done (minus the stuff I forgot to sign...doh!).

But now I get to deal with the fun of getting my brand new MacBook Pro replaced since the right speaker blew out after about 3 weeks...nice! As you can hopefully tell I'm not too elated with Apple products at the moment since I had to go above and beyond to get the damn thing in the first place and now I get this!

On the bright side my cousin sent me for a Tarot/Reiki session and I got some awesome predictions from her. Apparently I will be more than just a doctor, since I have the soul of a healer; as a result I will become a kick ass healer. I will have a very easy life in every which way and will eventually settle in Europe because of my refined tastes (I really like that one....hehe refined). During the Reiki session the spirits asked to work on my "healing hands" and apparently I have a very giving and open heart, more so than "normal people," which was overwhelming. Although I am as skeptical as I am intrigued by all of the spiritual and mystical Asian philosophies I must admit I came out of the session VERY relaxed, light-hearted, and oddly peaceful. Maybe it was my subconscious fooling me because I would like to believe Eastern philosophies but they are just so based on having blind faith in many matters that the scientist in me just can not accept it.

Either way my last day of work at the Sleep Lab was last Friday (7/27/07) and that really couldn't have come at a better time because the job was really starting to get at me, which had not happened to me yet. I'm glad to have gotten out of the crazy shifts and hours but I do miss my co-workers and all the fun we've had over the last 9 months.

Been in NYC celebrating my sister's 21st birthday and will be attending the Landmark Forum, which is a controversial self-help program designed to help you look into why you do the things you do. Now anyone that knows me knows that I would NEVER sign for such public sharing of my life with STRANGERS. But my cousin assured me that it would really be beneficial for me before I start my medical education/career, he also paid for the 4 day program and "forced" me to go. Although I do trust his opinions without question this tested my familial respect/obedience that I have oh so acquired from my cultural upbringing.

I am now officially tired of having a hot laptop on my lap and have pretty much run out of things to write about...I will hopefully be better about updating this blog with pretty pictures or video clips and fun stories when I get down to St. Maarten.

But before I sign off this time I must send much love to EVERYONE that I know for all the support, well wishes, sweet words, material offerings, supplies, and over all LOVE that you all have given me these past few months and weeks. Much love to you all, you really do NOT understand how much you mean to me. I will refrain from mentioning names to avoid forgetting someone and having them feel bad but you all know who you are.

Till next time take care of yourselves and THANK YOU!