FEBRUARY

Why do I feel like it's been six months?!!!!

Oh probably because medical school is rough and semester 2 of year 2 is the roughest... That is not a joke or an exaggeration, y'all. I'm TIIIIIDE! But I digress, what's going on in February, let's see. 

So STEP studying, it's happening.... and not happening... like you don't realize how much still being in class is really eating up your time, but my schedule (self made) is working for the most part. Are there days where I've chosen practice questions over the gym? Yes. Are there days where no practice questions are done? Yes. About halfway through this first block it kind of got away from me a bit, but I tried t make sure I maintained as much out of my schedule as possible. Sleep does start to conquer your body some days, and that's okay. Exhaustion is a real thing & it will come for you. 

Fortunately, the way our school is set up, our current block Systems Disorders does kind of make organizing some Step studying a little easier. It provides a natural guideline for covering topics, and I just do  review of select topics from past blocks in my "spare" time...
Oh man, what else. Lots of birthdays! Most notable, my Dad &little brother. The lil one turned 21 and I honestly can't handle it. I'm still processing.

The week of Valentine's Day was a lot of fun. Disclaimer, it was healthy relationships week!! So there was a lot of self care happening as I am single & sufficient. (If you know that reference we are probably friends or should be!) But the coolest thing, was on Valentine's Day I volunteered for a "Love Around the World event" at school and it was so fun. Lots of countries were represented with info about romantic traditions, marriages, music, and foods. I bring this up to brag on myself a bit because I finally made myself take time to make Syrniki!1 These are like Russian pancakes, that are so easy to make (unless you're making 200 in one night) and so delicious. I  don't think mine were as good as my friend who made them for me in Moscow but it was fun to finally do it.

I finished up, my apprenticeship with the Orthopedic Surgery clinic like officially... That's bittersweet. Sweet because obviously with Step coming I got things to focus on and need that time back, but bitter because to mark the ending we were required to make a video presentation... I now know what it's like to voice over a presentation and here myself speak for five minutes and I'm not a fan... But I loved my mentor and she kicks ass, so I'll be seeing her and popping in beause that place truly became my sanity, my peace away from class/studies when I really needed a reminder of why I'm doing this.
...

After that, the month really snowballed.... like I hate I'm writing this retrospectively because it's low key a blur.
*will not make the same mistake with March*
.... One Friday night of it was a real blur. #nationalmargaritaday

Moving on...
I got dressed up and tried to go a basketball game... Well my friend and I went, but hunger really did  come for us.... We made it through more tacos than minutes in that game, smh.... but we ain't sorry. The best thing about February, OTHER THAN CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY (which I do any day but you know...) was my parents visiting!!!

Ughhhh! It was so good, y'all. I miss them all the time, but it's not just that.... With all the chaos of schooling, adulting, professionalism, exams, your home looking like shit for daaaayys, just the presence of my parents even for just a weekend, settles my spirit and lifts my heart. My Dad, bless his soul, brought the carpet cleaner, fixed my car taillight... My mom, hugged me and brought me homemade food. There was real breakfast and BBQ...and even some early birthday surprises. So much loooooooooooove, all before the bomb that I thought my cardiology exam (March technically) would be. But that even went well. So February wrapped up nicely. It was busy and lots of hours were put in, but not too shabby.

As exhausting as it was, peace found me, rest found me, comfort found me when I needed it most. I'm keeping my head, my heart, and my hands up as the journey continues.

March is finna be the one to beat though, cause Htown......... iss goin diiine. *birdman hands

Talk to you all soon!

xxO,
The Third Voice

​