11/30/17

I figured I would add a picture this blog because it is better to see a picture of the cool things I do rather than read about them. This picture is after doing Garden day at a local elementary. The students at this school use the food that is grown from this garden to use in there cooking class. This is the first time that I had heard of a school doing things like this for the kids, because where I grew up they didn't have these type of programs. It was a great experience. I also got the chance to come back to this school a couple weeks later to participate in The Iron chef. This competition was awesome, because they asked local Chefs and volunteers to help the kids in a cooking competition. There was about ten groups of kids of 8, with a chef ,and volunteer. Most of the ingredients were from the garden, along with other supplies from the store. The secret ingredient was papaya, which was grown in the garden by the kids. My group ended up making turkey bacon tacos with a papaya salsa! It was great and the kids were amazing. I plan to do other things with this school in the future!  We also just started the beginning of the brain block which so far is super interesting, so I am excited for this one!
Total service hours: 46

10/30/17

The time is going by so fast in this program. It seemed like I had just moved here in July, but in reality I'm half way through this program. We only have three more blocks for this semester. I think that the Neoplasia block we are currently going through is very interesting. It has opened a different way of thinking when it comes to how cancer works. Before I started this program I assumed that all cancers are the same, but this is not fully true. I was a lot easier for me to study for this block, because I was very interested in what we were learning. My classmates and I get together and study almost every day, which makes it that much better.

New Orleans winters are awesome! The weather is perfect now compared to when it was a million degrees in the summer. I don't sweat walking from building to building. It is a huge change compared to what I am used to. I am from New Mexico, where right around this time we are getting snow. I'm keeping very busy outside of the classroom. I am still playing volleyball and basketball for intermural. We are 3-2 in volleyball, and 1-3 in basket ball. I also decided I needed to be apart of a rougher sport with more contact, because that's what I have been doing my whole life playing football. Since I am out of eligibility in football, I tried out for rugby. It is a lot of running, and for a big guy that is 350 pounds make is difficult. I still enjoy it very much, and it keeps me in shape.

For my service hours I still am doing the same things. We are still volunteering at KIPP middle school. A few of us in class will be doing other things like children's hospital, or the Homeless shelter. I am excited to see what other things I could do in the community.

9/30/17

I can not believe that we have already been through three blocks in the program. I have learned so many different things in such a short time. A lot of this success is due to my classmates who have helped me along the way. They explain things to me that I don't understand at first, and they teach me interesting ways to study. For example, I didn't realize that writing on a white board with different colors would stick the information in your mind so good. I have also learned in this program how to study. I feel like that is a big part of being successful in these classes. Once I was able to find my way of studying the information, it did not seem as overwhelming.

Nola life is seeming to grow on me a little more. My classmates and I are getting closer as friends which makes the weekends fun, and a good study break. We also formed intermural teams in basketball and volleyball. Our first basketball game went really good, because we beat this team by 50 points! This is a good way to spend time with good people and relieve stress.

For my service hours I have gotten to do a lot of different things. I have been volunteering at KIPP middle school for the past month. For the most part it is interesting to be in a school setting. The only thing that I wish we would do is hang out with the kids more. Most of the things we do is cutting paper dollars, or moving desks. I also spent a Saturday with the Habitat for Humanity which was very fun. Most of the day we moved couches for people and other furniture. This was really nice because we were not out in the sun. The people I volunteered with made the day that much better. These coming months I plan to work at the Children's Hospital in whatever area is need. I feel like this will be a great experience.

A Step In The Right Direction

A month and a half into this program, and I feel like I have learned more than I ever thought I could. We have had two block exams already, which have changed me as a student, because I have become humble. During my four years in undergraduate I studied hard, or at least I thought I did. My studying habits and my work ethic has gone to a new level while being in this program. There was times I would think to myself before an exam " how do they expect us to know all this", but what I  have learned is that you can if you truly put in the time. I feel like this program is going to give me an advantage in the long run because I am getting a taste of what it is like to be in medical school, and what it takes to be successful.

Since I have been in Nola( New Orleans) I have experienced a lot of different things outside the classroom. I have gotten to try amazing food, ride along in a swamp tour, and participate in different club sports on campus. This school has a lot to offer culturally, and as an outlet from studying compared to my undergraduate school. I also really get along with my classmates. I was afraid at first, because I didn't think I would have anything in common with the people in class. I played football for 13 years, and most of my friends were athletes so when I came here and realized I was the only college athlete I was nervous. It turned out that everyone in class may have not played a sport in college, but they like a lot of the same things I did, like football, lifting, and Super Smash Bros. What made it even better, was that they were all chasing the same dream of serving the community as doctors and care givers.

For my service hours I plan to do a few different things around the city. I will be working with a community leader to teach at risk children the art of jewelry making. I also plan on volunteering at the children's hospital a few hours a week, and putting aside a few weekends to work with the Habitat for Humanity. The last thing I am wanting to do for right now is work with KIPP every Friday for a few hours, which is being a role model to young kids in the community.