... post a blog because I am feeling motivated! Surprise surprise but I just wanted to let everyone know I will everything to Colby and Mom because I just found a new love.. "JAVA MONSTER" .. its a mix of coffee and a Monster energy drink. Its called "mean bean" and its only 100 calories which means I can get cracked out on caffiene, nearly guilt free! If my heart stops, just know I loved you all!
STUDY TIME!
Skin histology, woo hoooO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Marissa (duh!) ♥
My last year of medical school and less than a year until our wedding.. we have a lot going on!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
The final stretch ...
Hello helllo!
So time is flying, thats for sure. Only 23 more days until my final. Button and Warren get here in 26! I can't believe it. I had my DPS practical today where I had to write a 50 question/answer interview with an imaginary patient. Lame - but easy so that was nice. Colby is about to get off work and we are going to go for a quick swim. Its hotttttt today. Anddddddd good news - I am feeling motivated! I knew that it would come back to me. :)
I want to go jump in the Caribbean so I am not gonna write much but I was to show a few pics. This past Friday was the boys intermural football championship and girls Powder Puff game. I didn't play this year, but I am definitely going to next year. After, Colby and I stopped by a pig roast -- see below. Yucky!
Also, Colby purchased some Hawaiian slings while he was in the States and has picked up a new hobby - lobstering. So Saturday night he and his friend Robb went down the beach at about 10:30p and gave it a go. Colby caught 2 lobsters in about 5 minutes that we ate for lunch on Sunday. AMAZING. He is such a good cook and LOBSTER! mmm.
Today we got a new fridge compliments of our very attentive landlord and I am stoked. No more throwing away food (we just had pepperoni get moldy -- pepperoni is supposed to last a lifetime.. gross!) We are STOKED! Its big and beautiful and clean.
Swim time, Colby is home!
PS. The stupid internet won't work so I will post all promised pictures later :)
by Marissa & Colby ♥
So time is flying, thats for sure. Only 23 more days until my final. Button and Warren get here in 26! I can't believe it. I had my DPS practical today where I had to write a 50 question/answer interview with an imaginary patient. Lame - but easy so that was nice. Colby is about to get off work and we are going to go for a quick swim. Its hotttttt today. Anddddddd good news - I am feeling motivated! I knew that it would come back to me. :)
I want to go jump in the Caribbean so I am not gonna write much but I was to show a few pics. This past Friday was the boys intermural football championship and girls Powder Puff game. I didn't play this year, but I am definitely going to next year. After, Colby and I stopped by a pig roast -- see below. Yucky!
Also, Colby purchased some Hawaiian slings while he was in the States and has picked up a new hobby - lobstering. So Saturday night he and his friend Robb went down the beach at about 10:30p and gave it a go. Colby caught 2 lobsters in about 5 minutes that we ate for lunch on Sunday. AMAZING. He is such a good cook and LOBSTER! mmm.
Today we got a new fridge compliments of our very attentive landlord and I am stoked. No more throwing away food (we just had pepperoni get moldy -- pepperoni is supposed to last a lifetime.. gross!) We are STOKED! Its big and beautiful and clean.
Swim time, Colby is home!
PS. The stupid internet won't work so I will post all promised pictures later :)
by Marissa & Colby ♥
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Corona & Lime ♥
I found the best new song. Shwayze - "Corona and Lime"
Baby will you be my corona and lime.
And I will be your main squeeze.
And if your brother don't like my style.
We could take it to the street.
We could take it to the street.
Yo. Lil girls in the city. Dress up pretty.
Go out and get messed up and shitty.
Girls by the sea, dress like hippies. And write love beads and go skinny dippin'.
Girls in the hills, go day trippin. To get their nails done, and hair straighten.
Lil girls in the 818. Get hot when I roll over laurel canyon.
Girls in New York look like giraffes.
Long neck, long legs, tiny tits and ass.
Girls from L.A rock oversized shades.
And chill all day cause they already payed.
Girls in Miami. Street bikinis.
Bump techno by Dj Tiesto.
Girls from Detroit Like electro. And dance all night till they break they neck, yo.
There is a taste, but totally doesn't do the song justice. Its fun though - because all of the above is true!
So anyhoo -
I don't even think I can put into words what happened with Colby's traveling fiasco today. It was almost worse than yesterday but somehow, he will be home in a few hours. With me. Where he belongs. No in stupid Idaho or Washington or Philadelphia or Puerto Rico or Antigua.
Finally.
Anddddddddd besides 1) getting Colby back and 2) having a new favorite song ..
I DISSECTED THE HEART TODAY. Yes, you heard me. I held someone else's heart in my hands. I was so excited I stayed and demo-ed it to the other groups. It was really really cool. I really feel like a "gonna-be doctor" after today. So rad. So so so rad. (Unless you are a fellow Rossonian -- NONE OF YOU WILL EVER DO THAT!!!!)
Time to get dinner stuff so I can feed my man tonight :)
by Marissa ♥
Baby will you be my corona and lime.
And I will be your main squeeze.
And if your brother don't like my style.
We could take it to the street.
We could take it to the street.
Yo. Lil girls in the city. Dress up pretty.
Go out and get messed up and shitty.
Girls by the sea, dress like hippies. And write love beads and go skinny dippin'.
Girls in the hills, go day trippin. To get their nails done, and hair straighten.
Lil girls in the 818. Get hot when I roll over laurel canyon.
Girls in New York look like giraffes.
Long neck, long legs, tiny tits and ass.
Girls from L.A rock oversized shades.
And chill all day cause they already payed.
Girls in Miami. Street bikinis.
Bump techno by Dj Tiesto.
Girls from Detroit Like electro. And dance all night till they break they neck, yo.
There is a taste, but totally doesn't do the song justice. Its fun though - because all of the above is true!
So anyhoo -
I don't even think I can put into words what happened with Colby's traveling fiasco today. It was almost worse than yesterday but somehow, he will be home in a few hours. With me. Where he belongs. No in stupid Idaho or Washington or Philadelphia or Puerto Rico or Antigua.
Finally.
Anddddddddd besides 1) getting Colby back and 2) having a new favorite song ..
I DISSECTED THE HEART TODAY. Yes, you heard me. I held someone else's heart in my hands. I was so excited I stayed and demo-ed it to the other groups. It was really really cool. I really feel like a "gonna-be doctor" after today. So rad. So so so rad. (Unless you are a fellow Rossonian -- NONE OF YOU WILL EVER DO THAT!!!!)
Time to get dinner stuff so I can feed my man tonight :)
by Marissa ♥
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Unbelievable.
Poor Colby. Today has been a TERRIBLE day for him (and me too). Hence the title of this post. "Unbelievable."
Last night Colby left Spokane at 7:30p (WA time). His flight left a little late, but nothing major. Then he arrived to Seattle - a little late. His flight was delayed and he took off from Seattle, you guessed it! .. a little bit late. So on his red-eye from Seattle to Philadelphia (yes -- this entire trip was ridiculous) some lady passed out *from my new knowledge, probably because the dumb ass sat for too long with poor circulation or had her knees locked thereby preventing proper blood flow to her (evidentially) small brain. Now, not only did they land in Phili late - they made them sit on the tarmac while the paramedics came to look at the lady and so he got off his flight that was supposed to land at 6:38am at 7:20a. He now had to RUN through two terminals and of course, did not make his connection. US Air put him on their next flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico that was supposed to get him to SJU at 1:47p .. obviously late for his 2:30p flight -- with a totally different airline. Not only did it leave 30 mins late, it arrived to SJU 45 mins late. Because we live on this small little island, travel to Dominica for the day had ceased (at 3p) and now Colby is sleeping at the Best Western attached to the airport (courtesy of US Air) and because all of Liat's *the Caribbean airline he is scheduled on, the only one besides American Eagle that flies here* flights are booked for tomorrow .. he is STAND BY for a 10:50a flight that has 3 stops and will take 6 hours to get home .. and if he doesn't get on that hellish flight, well, guess what!!??? We get to get a $37.00 refund from Liat and spend $355 on an American flight to get him home tomorrow.
What a freaking mess.
I just want him home damnit! I miss my boy!
... ANNNNNND I have surprises for him and he has my bday presents!
Wish him luck. And don't ever fly for cheaper if it means 100 stops. Air travel SUCKS! Grrrr
by Marissa ♥
Last night Colby left Spokane at 7:30p (WA time). His flight left a little late, but nothing major. Then he arrived to Seattle - a little late. His flight was delayed and he took off from Seattle, you guessed it! .. a little bit late. So on his red-eye from Seattle to Philadelphia (yes -- this entire trip was ridiculous) some lady passed out *from my new knowledge, probably because the dumb ass sat for too long with poor circulation or had her knees locked thereby preventing proper blood flow to her (evidentially) small brain. Now, not only did they land in Phili late - they made them sit on the tarmac while the paramedics came to look at the lady and so he got off his flight that was supposed to land at 6:38am at 7:20a. He now had to RUN through two terminals and of course, did not make his connection. US Air put him on their next flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico that was supposed to get him to SJU at 1:47p .. obviously late for his 2:30p flight -- with a totally different airline. Not only did it leave 30 mins late, it arrived to SJU 45 mins late. Because we live on this small little island, travel to Dominica for the day had ceased (at 3p) and now Colby is sleeping at the Best Western attached to the airport (courtesy of US Air) and because all of Liat's *the Caribbean airline he is scheduled on, the only one besides American Eagle that flies here* flights are booked for tomorrow .. he is STAND BY for a 10:50a flight that has 3 stops and will take 6 hours to get home .. and if he doesn't get on that hellish flight, well, guess what!!??? We get to get a $37.00 refund from Liat and spend $355 on an American flight to get him home tomorrow.
What a freaking mess.
I just want him home damnit! I miss my boy!
... ANNNNNND I have surprises for him and he has my bday presents!
Wish him luck. And don't ever fly for cheaper if it means 100 stops. Air travel SUCKS! Grrrr
by Marissa ♥
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
SMOKING KILLS!!!
Just a quick little hello - I am feeling motivated right now and will be productive in just a few minutes but thought that I would share my latest....
I just got back from Anatomy Lab Demo - today we did the lungs. Group C (people with last names from P-ish through Z) dissected and then demo-ed to everyone else. I ran into a friend who was getting a really good explanation by Dr. Vigh, a crazy Hungarian doctor who is, well, crazy. It was really informative and cleared up a lot of things since our lecturer today on the lungs sucks.
I thought it was funny (not haha, but wow funny) that I stopped by 3 tables *its always best to look at more than one* and 2/3 .. patients had lung cancer. One patient had breast cancer (our body) that metastasized and she was missing most of her left lung and the second table's lungs were 1) huge (the left should be SMALLER than the right lung due to the location of the heart, and it was ENORMOUS) and 2) adhered to the thoracic cavity and mediastinal walls (the separation between the two lungs where your heart sits) because of the insane and obviously agressive lung cancer that she had. Her bronchi (where the air flows) were completely closed and filled with cancerous masses. What a way to go :( I finally went to a third table so I could see what a lung is supposed to look like - so I would know what to look for on the practical. The girl was really nice and gave me an awesome demo!
Anyway, my message for the day - don't smoke. One, its disgusting and two, no one wants their lungs adhered to their body cavity. Seriously, eww.
Colby gets home tomorrow at 5:05p. All his flights are confirmed and a transport will be there to pick him up! Can't waittttttt! I can hardly focus I am so giddy :)
Study time! Woot woot!
Here are pictures from our trip to a waterfall, Syndicate Falls (maybe) and to the Atlantic side of the island before the semester started :)
Just wanted to add some flavor and pictures of our fabulous faces.
by Marissa ♥
Monday, July 21, 2008
The crazy things people do for love ..
I am not really going to do into detail about the title, but I have realized lately that people do crazy things (good things!) when their heart is involved. It is refreshing to me. As far as mine and Colby's friends, for the most part, the love department is beyond cursed right now -- but a few things here and there have kept me optimistic :) One thing I do know, is I am a lucky girl.
On a different note:
I can not believe the weather on this island. Today is SO hot, I can't stop sweating, regardless of the fact that I am in an air conditioned building. My arms are sticking to the table impairing my ability to type. Ohhhh Dominica. hhahaha
So I am 99% sure that Colby and I are going to take a little trip to .. dun dun dun .. Barbados! during the 2nd week of break. The Huglins, a family I babysat for in SB have actually been living in Christ Church, Barbados all summer, which is in the south end of the island. After lots of looking yesterday I remembered they were there and emailed Andrea and she told me the hotel I found (for a steal!) looks great from the outside and is right on the beach. Although I was worried about spending the $$$, Mom assured/reminded me that my mental health is priceless and that it would be money well spent. I think I am going to book it today or tomorrow and surprise Colby when he gets home on WEDNESDAY!
It is weird, now that the Mini is over - and I only have my daily studying....
THE POWER HAS JUST GONE OUT AT THE LIBRARY AND EVERYONE IS SITTING HERE STARING IN THE DARK. HAHAHA OH THIS IS RIDICULOUS!
Anyhoo - now that I just have to do my daily stuff as far as studying is concerned, its weird because it really doesn't feel like there is that much, however, people WITHOUT spouses seem to be studying ALL DAY LONG, all the time. Granted I am not #1 in my class, but I am sure doing fine :) I don't know if it is just because I am efficient because I have trained myself to be that way so I can make it home to spend time with Colby or what - but, I feel like there is plenty of time!
I was going to upload a picture of the hotel, but the internet won't work since the power is off. Enjoy your modern day electricity. And Chipotle if you have it. Go eat a barbacoa bowl for me - and savor every bite.
Loveeeeees from the rock.
Marissa ♥
On a different note:
I can not believe the weather on this island. Today is SO hot, I can't stop sweating, regardless of the fact that I am in an air conditioned building. My arms are sticking to the table impairing my ability to type. Ohhhh Dominica. hhahaha
So I am 99% sure that Colby and I are going to take a little trip to .. dun dun dun .. Barbados! during the 2nd week of break. The Huglins, a family I babysat for in SB have actually been living in Christ Church, Barbados all summer, which is in the south end of the island. After lots of looking yesterday I remembered they were there and emailed Andrea and she told me the hotel I found (for a steal!) looks great from the outside and is right on the beach. Although I was worried about spending the $$$, Mom assured/reminded me that my mental health is priceless and that it would be money well spent. I think I am going to book it today or tomorrow and surprise Colby when he gets home on WEDNESDAY!
It is weird, now that the Mini is over - and I only have my daily studying....
THE POWER HAS JUST GONE OUT AT THE LIBRARY AND EVERYONE IS SITTING HERE STARING IN THE DARK. HAHAHA OH THIS IS RIDICULOUS!
Anyhoo - now that I just have to do my daily stuff as far as studying is concerned, its weird because it really doesn't feel like there is that much, however, people WITHOUT spouses seem to be studying ALL DAY LONG, all the time. Granted I am not #1 in my class, but I am sure doing fine :) I don't know if it is just because I am efficient because I have trained myself to be that way so I can make it home to spend time with Colby or what - but, I feel like there is plenty of time!
I was going to upload a picture of the hotel, but the internet won't work since the power is off. Enjoy your modern day electricity. And Chipotle if you have it. Go eat a barbacoa bowl for me - and savor every bite.
Loveeeeees from the rock.
Marissa ♥
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Only three more days :)
Not much to report here. I am in Classroom 4 and should have started hitting the books but I am doing some organizational stuff instead (ie. making sure allthe things I ordered will make it to Spokane by the time Colby leaves, accepting $75,000 in student loans to make it through the next 13 months here - AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ya know, fun stuff .. barf).
Colby's trip wasn't exactly what he thought it would be, but all I know is that I can't wait for him to get back home. Time did fly and I ended up doing really well on my test and making some new friends, so all in all, not too bad. Friday night I went out and had a little too much to drink :) and paid for it yesterday. I did, however, make it to the AMSA (American Medical Students Association) Women's Health Fair at 9am to show local women how to perform self breast exams. Then I had my Anatomy TA session, so I wasn't totally worthless, but almost.
Today will be a different story though, I want to make sure I am all caught up so that Wednesday, when Colby gets back, I can play with him and not have to feel guilty that I am behind!
I am still trying to figure out where we should go over break (which other island) but it all seems so expensive, so I don't know what we are going to do .. I just know I want off of this one.
Hope all is well with everyone back home. Don't take things like Target and Chipotle and USPS for granted.
Love from Dominica.
by Marissa ♥
Colby's trip wasn't exactly what he thought it would be, but all I know is that I can't wait for him to get back home. Time did fly and I ended up doing really well on my test and making some new friends, so all in all, not too bad. Friday night I went out and had a little too much to drink :) and paid for it yesterday. I did, however, make it to the AMSA (American Medical Students Association) Women's Health Fair at 9am to show local women how to perform self breast exams. Then I had my Anatomy TA session, so I wasn't totally worthless, but almost.
Today will be a different story though, I want to make sure I am all caught up so that Wednesday, when Colby gets back, I can play with him and not have to feel guilty that I am behind!
I am still trying to figure out where we should go over break (which other island) but it all seems so expensive, so I don't know what we are going to do .. I just know I want off of this one.
Hope all is well with everyone back home. Don't take things like Target and Chipotle and USPS for granted.
Love from Dominica.
by Marissa ♥
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Rain, rain -- go away!
Hi all -
Hope this finds everyone well. I am struggling to get back into the groove of things. The rain and the on-going exhaustion are making it hard to get back into a solid groove. I am in the library now and am being productive though (well, obviously minus the post!) and hopefully have a few more hours in me. I went and grabbed Subway with my friend, Jharna. We ate with another girl, Raman. So funny, Raman went to UC Berkeley and Jharna went to UCLA and me, well, UCSB obviously.. and look at us - coming from one of the most prestigious collegiate systems all down at a freaking Caribbean medical school. Pisses me off. But whatever.
by Marissa ♥
Hope this finds everyone well. I am struggling to get back into the groove of things. The rain and the on-going exhaustion are making it hard to get back into a solid groove. I am in the library now and am being productive though (well, obviously minus the post!) and hopefully have a few more hours in me. I went and grabbed Subway with my friend, Jharna. We ate with another girl, Raman. So funny, Raman went to UC Berkeley and Jharna went to UCLA and me, well, UCSB obviously.. and look at us - coming from one of the most prestigious collegiate systems all down at a freaking Caribbean medical school. Pisses me off. But whatever.
Today we had an inter mural football playoff game between 1st and 3rd semester. We lost. We actually didn't win a single game! But it was fun. We just had a storm system pass over us so its been raining like CRAZY and the boys were an absolute mess. Tomorrow 2nd and 4th play. I think I will go watch that too, give support to my neighbor and his amigos. And plus, any excuse to get out of studying :) They are fun to watch - people get really intense. We need SOME distraction, so I guess its valid. I think next semester I will play inter mural volleyball or something, maybe Powder Puff. :)
Colby got out to Cour d'Alene today to start the wedding extravaganzas. Today he is helping Brandon get the house organized. Tomorrow is the rehearsal dinner, Saturday the wedding and Sunday they are doing brunch. He went to Walmart with Zach today to get the stuff I put on his shopping list! So exciting! Only 6 more days until he is back here. It, surprisingly, is going super fast. I have been a lot more social with new people and relaxing too - so its been tolerable. But I am excited for him to get back down here. He promised he IS coming. hhaahaa - thats always the big question, will the spouses come back once they leave? :)
Take care -- and write. You all have sucked at keeping in touch. I still have email you know!
Love you all!
Take care -- and write. You all have sucked at keeping in touch. I still have email you know!
Love you all!
by Marissa ♥
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Mini 2 .. I kicked your butt!
Mini 2 .. psshh .. piece of cake.
So its a miracle, my insane hard work paid off. 4 A's and a B :) I definitely expected that B to in a different subject, but thats fine. I will take it. So as it stands now - I have 3 A's and 2 B's. I can honestly say that I am so proud of myself. Medical School is something I got under control. Mom and Colby are so proud too!
Today I turned off my alarm (unknown to my conscious mind) and went back to bed and woke up at 9:30a rested and feeling lazy as ever. My friend Jackie came over this morning and got rid of my nasty, white trash roots and made me a beautiful, shiny "medium brown" that Mom mailed down in my last package. I actually straightened too! *after it air dried, of course, since I blew out my blow dryer our 1st day in our new apartment - everything here is 220V (or W or whatever it is) and America is 110.* It looks SO much better, although I already miss my pretty hair. It is just no conducive to living third world.
I hung out with my new neighbor friend, Jeff, and 2 of his buddies tonight for a while. They also took a lazy day and were hanging out on the patio smoking cigars when I took the trash out - so we mingled. It was nice to have some human interaction today since I watched 4 episodes of Army Wives and 2 of Hopkins off of my mom's Tivo.
Colby is having a blast again in WA. He and Zach are hanging out, causing trouble I am sure. I miss him! Only 7.5 more days until he is back. Supposedly, everyone up there loves his ridiculous beard (that I hate) and he is threatening to come back without shaving. Arrrgh. I will shave it in his sleep! I told him I was looking at an old picture (see below) of his all trimmed up and he is SOOOOOO good looking! We will see. Maybe he is just giving me a hard time to ruffle my feathers. I swear, its his favorite hobby.
Nothing much else to report here but that I am already behind. One day off means one day behind. But - such is life (as a medical student). I have been spending a lot of time Skype talking to old friends, and its really made me happy as a clam. I talked to Lindsay, Libby and Erin (& Button, but she doesn't count, I talk to her everyday!) these last few days and I love you girls! Hope everyone is doing well.
Write soon! by Marissa ♥
So its a miracle, my insane hard work paid off. 4 A's and a B :) I definitely expected that B to in a different subject, but thats fine. I will take it. So as it stands now - I have 3 A's and 2 B's. I can honestly say that I am so proud of myself. Medical School is something I got under control. Mom and Colby are so proud too!
Today I turned off my alarm (unknown to my conscious mind) and went back to bed and woke up at 9:30a rested and feeling lazy as ever. My friend Jackie came over this morning and got rid of my nasty, white trash roots and made me a beautiful, shiny "medium brown" that Mom mailed down in my last package. I actually straightened too! *after it air dried, of course, since I blew out my blow dryer our 1st day in our new apartment - everything here is 220V (or W or whatever it is) and America is 110.* It looks SO much better, although I already miss my pretty hair. It is just no conducive to living third world.
I hung out with my new neighbor friend, Jeff, and 2 of his buddies tonight for a while. They also took a lazy day and were hanging out on the patio smoking cigars when I took the trash out - so we mingled. It was nice to have some human interaction today since I watched 4 episodes of Army Wives and 2 of Hopkins off of my mom's Tivo.
Colby is having a blast again in WA. He and Zach are hanging out, causing trouble I am sure. I miss him! Only 7.5 more days until he is back. Supposedly, everyone up there loves his ridiculous beard (that I hate) and he is threatening to come back without shaving. Arrrgh. I will shave it in his sleep! I told him I was looking at an old picture (see below) of his all trimmed up and he is SOOOOOO good looking! We will see. Maybe he is just giving me a hard time to ruffle my feathers. I swear, its his favorite hobby.
Nothing much else to report here but that I am already behind. One day off means one day behind. But - such is life (as a medical student). I have been spending a lot of time Skype talking to old friends, and its really made me happy as a clam. I talked to Lindsay, Libby and Erin (& Button, but she doesn't count, I talk to her everyday!) these last few days and I love you girls! Hope everyone is doing well.
Write soon! by Marissa ♥
Monday, July 14, 2008
Mini 2 - done!!
So Mini 2 is all done. Thank god. I don't know how I did - its always a toss up but I feel relatively confident about it and all I REALLY care about is that its over. Saturday I studied for about 14 hours and again on Sunday from 9am - 1 am. I will let you know how it goes but for now .. I am going to bed. Sorry this was a lame post, but -- my brain is mush.
by Marissa ♥
by Marissa ♥
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Things I learned today ...
Here is a list of what I learned today (from memory)
Besides:
The histology of bone and cartilage
Mendelian Inheritance
Hemoglobin and Myoglobin
Glycolysis
Cardiac, Smooth and Skeletal Muscle
ECG interpretations
Trinucleotide repeat disorders
Hemoglobinopathies
..............and the nervous tissue, muscle tissue, placental development, embryologic musculoskeletal and nervous development, reflexes, synapses and the autonomic nervous system I learned yesterday.
Incest basically mean you are screwed, genetically speaking. *med school related but - Dr. Larsen didn't quite put it that way, so I will claim it as my own discovery.
The clouds in Dominica move really, really fast.
Looking out at the sunsets here make it seem like an alright place to live.
I freak out more than most when bugs crawl on me.
My earplugs stick out way farther than anyone else and hurt when they are in too far.
I am immune to most caffeinated substances.
I can fall asleep anywhere, anytime *and even when I am very caffeinated*
Talking to Colby on the phone, even when he is 4000 miles away can calm me down.
I am a machine, and who knows what controls when I am "on" (motivated) and "off" (feeling how I did most of today).
Cookiewiches can improve my mood better than Zoloft or Lexapro.
Earplugs make all noises disappear, except Dominican rain.
But regardless of my discoveries, I feel good right now about what I am studying and its making me feel better and better. Time to get back to it. I will be a normal (well, relatively) again tomorrow... or at least heavily intoxicated =)
One thing this island does right is PINA COLADAS!
by Marissa ♥
Besides:
The histology of bone and cartilage
Mendelian Inheritance
Hemoglobin and Myoglobin
Glycolysis
Cardiac, Smooth and Skeletal Muscle
ECG interpretations
Trinucleotide repeat disorders
Hemoglobinopathies
..............and the nervous tissue, muscle tissue, placental development, embryologic musculoskeletal and nervous development, reflexes, synapses and the autonomic nervous system I learned yesterday.
Incest basically mean you are screwed, genetically speaking. *med school related but - Dr. Larsen didn't quite put it that way, so I will claim it as my own discovery.
The clouds in Dominica move really, really fast.
Looking out at the sunsets here make it seem like an alright place to live.
I freak out more than most when bugs crawl on me.
My earplugs stick out way farther than anyone else and hurt when they are in too far.
I am immune to most caffeinated substances.
I can fall asleep anywhere, anytime *and even when I am very caffeinated*
Talking to Colby on the phone, even when he is 4000 miles away can calm me down.
I am a machine, and who knows what controls when I am "on" (motivated) and "off" (feeling how I did most of today).
Cookiewiches can improve my mood better than Zoloft or Lexapro.
Earplugs make all noises disappear, except Dominican rain.
But regardless of my discoveries, I feel good right now about what I am studying and its making me feel better and better. Time to get back to it. I will be a normal (well, relatively) again tomorrow... or at least heavily intoxicated =)
One thing this island does right is PINA COLADAS!
by Marissa ♥
Dealing with Dominica ..
So today was a LONG day. I woke up *without any alarm* at 8:30am, got ready and as I was about to run out the door - realized my Marc Jacobs sunglasses were missing. I was instantly pissed for the day and went to campus to get my stuff out of my locker and check in the library and see if anyone turned in my sunglasses. My hopes weren't high, because I am sure if someone found them they would be stoked - free sunglasses! So needless to say that they weren't there. So then, with my TWO bags that weighed a good 30 pounds I walked all the way to the Annex (since not a single transport drove by me). Thank god when I got there, I found my sunglasses smashed beneath my laptop. =) That definitely brightened my day!!
So anyways, I was in the Annex studying from about 9:30am until 11:30pm when I took the transport home. I got home and did a bit more studying. I then got up to brush my teeth so I could get in bed and a COCKROACH WAS IN MY BATHROOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, a freaking cockroach! I was barefoot and terrified so in the end, it got swept off my balcony. I then called Colby screaming. Ewwww. I don't even know. Part of me can feel bugs crawling all over me and part of me has realized that cockroaches are a part of life down here. What is happening to me!?
Colby is at his parents' cabin tonight with his dad, stepmom (Darcy), brother (Brady) and his wife (Heather). Tonight Colby cooked them tri-tip tacos. I am sooooo sad that I am not there to hang out with all the Browns. He is having a great time and the wedding in next Saturday. 10 more days until he gets home. And trust me, I am still counting.
It is WAY past my bedtime. I am exhausted. Tomorrow will be a LONGGGGGG day. Mini 2 is Monday!
Here are some old pictures of us - I was reminiscing!
The one up top is us at Douglas Preserve in Santa Barbara one of our last nights in SB at sunset.
Colby and I laughing hysterically at Steph and Pete's house.
Halloween last year with our friend Brittany. I was a lady bug and Colby was a dinosaur, I made both costumes :)
by Marissa ♥
Friday, July 11, 2008
Mini 2 is coming! Mini 2 is coming!
So we are 3 1/2 days away from Mini 2 and it is crunch time. I am currently at the library mastering the embryology of musculoskeletal development. Considering the fact that I (still) feel like my passion lies in obstetrics, I don't find the stuff too unbearable. It is complicated, don't get me wrong, but at least I feel it might be applicable to my future. Speaking of, we have started hitting on a few more "applicable" topics which makes learning SO much more interesting. In Physiology, we are doing ECG interpretation. Sounds lame, but trust me, better than a lot of other crap we have learned.
Colby is safe and sound in Spokane (minus the fact that his parents' house was under mandatory evacuation last night due to a huge fire in the forests by the house). He stayed at his brother's house and his parents stayed in a hotel and his dad got to go back to the house today, which thankfully, is still there. He is going out to their cabin in Idaho tomorrow - lucky ducky. 12 days and counting until he is back. I haven't cooked anything since he is gone, just eaten our leftovers. Its quite pathetic, actually. But then again, that is the life of most of my peers. I am one of the lucky ones. =)
Back to it - wish me luck! There is so much to know for this test, I will send a picture of the stack of papers I am responsible for on this test - you will ALL be glad that you aren't me!
Love from Dominica <3
by Marissa (& Colby, in spirit) ♥
Colby is safe and sound in Spokane (minus the fact that his parents' house was under mandatory evacuation last night due to a huge fire in the forests by the house). He stayed at his brother's house and his parents stayed in a hotel and his dad got to go back to the house today, which thankfully, is still there. He is going out to their cabin in Idaho tomorrow - lucky ducky. 12 days and counting until he is back. I haven't cooked anything since he is gone, just eaten our leftovers. Its quite pathetic, actually. But then again, that is the life of most of my peers. I am one of the lucky ones. =)
Back to it - wish me luck! There is so much to know for this test, I will send a picture of the stack of papers I am responsible for on this test - you will ALL be glad that you aren't me!
Love from Dominica <3
by Marissa (& Colby, in spirit) ♥
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The countdown has begun - 13 days and counting ..
Hi all -
So Colby left yesterday morning around 5:30a and took a transport to the airport ($100 EC later - yuck). He got thrown on an earlier flight to Antigua -- San Juan. It was probably for the better because sitting in San Juan's airport was probably much easier to tolerate. From San Juan he switched airlines and flew to Chicago. He was supposed to have an hour and a half layover that turned into a 4 1/2 hour lay over. I got a call from a payphone of Colby - who was beyond annoyed with the situation. His flight that was supposed to get into Spokane at 10:32pm got in at 12:53am. By the time he got home and called me, it had been nearly 24 straight hours of travel. Ugh. But - now he is safe and sound in Washington .. and my countdown for his return has begun. 13 more days.
I have a histology practical today and Mini 2 is on Monday. My life is being consumed with studying and hopefully that will keep my busy enough to make the next 5 days fly by. I am starting to get nervous about the Mini - but hopefully I will gain some confidence by Monday at 1:00pm.
I am thinking that maybe Colby and I are going to head to a different Caribbean island during the 2nd week of my August break, after Kim and Warren leave - just so that I get to get off this rock - and can hopefully maintain sanity until Christmas. I started looking last night, everything looks beautiful .. white sandy beaches and clear clear water :) *Dominica is a volcano and we have "black sand" beaches, so its not nearly as pretty to look at. =( We shall see.
Time to get back to embryology ...
by Marissa ♥
So Colby left yesterday morning around 5:30a and took a transport to the airport ($100 EC later - yuck). He got thrown on an earlier flight to Antigua -- San Juan. It was probably for the better because sitting in San Juan's airport was probably much easier to tolerate. From San Juan he switched airlines and flew to Chicago. He was supposed to have an hour and a half layover that turned into a 4 1/2 hour lay over. I got a call from a payphone of Colby - who was beyond annoyed with the situation. His flight that was supposed to get into Spokane at 10:32pm got in at 12:53am. By the time he got home and called me, it had been nearly 24 straight hours of travel. Ugh. But - now he is safe and sound in Washington .. and my countdown for his return has begun. 13 more days.
I have a histology practical today and Mini 2 is on Monday. My life is being consumed with studying and hopefully that will keep my busy enough to make the next 5 days fly by. I am starting to get nervous about the Mini - but hopefully I will gain some confidence by Monday at 1:00pm.
I am thinking that maybe Colby and I are going to head to a different Caribbean island during the 2nd week of my August break, after Kim and Warren leave - just so that I get to get off this rock - and can hopefully maintain sanity until Christmas. I started looking last night, everything looks beautiful .. white sandy beaches and clear clear water :) *Dominica is a volcano and we have "black sand" beaches, so its not nearly as pretty to look at. =( We shall see.
Time to get back to embryology ...
by Marissa ♥
Monday, July 7, 2008
The Real Dominica
So Colby thought that I should change this to be MY blog, since he hasn't posted anything on here - but tonight I even offered to type for him as he narrated and he still said no hahaha.
Today I got the 2009 Academic Calendar and we will be outta here August 21st, 2009. I can't wait! My friend Tim has a countdown already going .. 410 days left! hahaha :)
So anyways, Colby took all these pictures.
Here is a really cool one of an octopus in the ocean right by our house. His underwater pictures are always amazing, while mine are usually of rocks.
He thought that we had been giving a "misleading" impression of where we live, with the beautiful sunsets and beach shots (and I agree) so here are some pictures by our house. Cows are always everywhere and its a shitty, unpaved road. But its where we call home.
Today, Colby went to Roseau to get me stocked up on goodies for the next two weeks while he is gone in Washington. He did good, despite the fact he left my wish list on my desk. These are pictures of the streets of Roseau, the capital of Dominica, about an hour transport ride south of us.
by Marissa & Colby ♥
Today I got the 2009 Academic Calendar and we will be outta here August 21st, 2009. I can't wait! My friend Tim has a countdown already going .. 410 days left! hahaha :)
So anyways, Colby took all these pictures.
Here is a really cool one of an octopus in the ocean right by our house. His underwater pictures are always amazing, while mine are usually of rocks.
He thought that we had been giving a "misleading" impression of where we live, with the beautiful sunsets and beach shots (and I agree) so here are some pictures by our house. Cows are always everywhere and its a shitty, unpaved road. But its where we call home.
Today, Colby went to Roseau to get me stocked up on goodies for the next two weeks while he is gone in Washington. He did good, despite the fact he left my wish list on my desk. These are pictures of the streets of Roseau, the capital of Dominica, about an hour transport ride south of us.
by Marissa & Colby ♥
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Happy 4th of July :)
Hi ya'll -
Hope you all had a fabulous 4th of July, filled with tons and tons of fireworks (something I missed out on and am still quite sad about it). After 4 hours of class and 4 more of studying, I went to watch the Semester 1 vs. Semester 4 inter mural football game with Colby (which we lost, like we have every other game so far) and then home to make our contribution to the 4th of July BBQ we had at Tim & Jackie's. Colby made the MOST AMAZING hummus. And homemade pitas too. The hummus was chick peas, soybean oil, water, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning (from the packets Mom sent us in our most recent package). That alone was fabulous but he took it to another level. He mixed cream cheese milk and super hot yellow pepper sauce and that went on top. I can't even tell you how amazing it was. Everyone was baffled that it was Colby's creation. All the wives said "I need to get me one of those." :) Too bad, he's mine! We had a great, relaxing night of pigging out on snacks and BBQ chicken and drinking beer and one of our favorite cocktails (dark rum and Sunkist - mmm!). Last night was a much needed reminder of how much we all love the good 'ol US of A.
Today I had a review for my upcoming test (the 14th) and then studied ALL day. Colby had another shift at work and still really enjoys it (I enjoy the free coffee!) and had a lot of fun with the other spouses he works with.
Colby leaves on Wednesday at 5:30a for two weeks. I will probably starve but he is beyond excited and can not WAIT to get off the island and back to Spokane. The first thing he plans on doing is eating a big, fat steak. I am so jealous!
Hope everyone enjoys the new system of keeping in touch. Talk to you soon!
by Marissa ♥
Hope you all had a fabulous 4th of July, filled with tons and tons of fireworks (something I missed out on and am still quite sad about it). After 4 hours of class and 4 more of studying, I went to watch the Semester 1 vs. Semester 4 inter mural football game with Colby (which we lost, like we have every other game so far) and then home to make our contribution to the 4th of July BBQ we had at Tim & Jackie's. Colby made the MOST AMAZING hummus. And homemade pitas too. The hummus was chick peas, soybean oil, water, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning (from the packets Mom sent us in our most recent package). That alone was fabulous but he took it to another level. He mixed cream cheese milk and super hot yellow pepper sauce and that went on top. I can't even tell you how amazing it was. Everyone was baffled that it was Colby's creation. All the wives said "I need to get me one of those." :) Too bad, he's mine! We had a great, relaxing night of pigging out on snacks and BBQ chicken and drinking beer and one of our favorite cocktails (dark rum and Sunkist - mmm!). Last night was a much needed reminder of how much we all love the good 'ol US of A.
Today I had a review for my upcoming test (the 14th) and then studied ALL day. Colby had another shift at work and still really enjoys it (I enjoy the free coffee!) and had a lot of fun with the other spouses he works with.
Colby leaves on Wednesday at 5:30a for two weeks. I will probably starve but he is beyond excited and can not WAIT to get off the island and back to Spokane. The first thing he plans on doing is eating a big, fat steak. I am so jealous!
Hope everyone enjoys the new system of keeping in touch. Talk to you soon!
by Marissa ♥
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A veryyyy happy birthday to ME!
Hi all!
Just wanted to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday today. Although I had class from 8-12 and dissection from 1-3:30 (should have been later but my lab buddies let me sneak out earlier!) I still managed to have an amazing day. I do enjoy school down here and we had a really good dissection where I felt like we actually did LEARN a lot, so it was fun. We did the posterior thigh and the popliteal fossa (basically, the back of your knee, a diamond shaped area that contains lots of nerves, arteries and veins). We have switched from the arm to the leg, and although there are lots of similaries in structure, obviously the leg is much larger so its a lot easier to identify things because things like your sciatic nerve (which isn't even actually a nerve) is the size of a Cuban cigar :) - moral of the story - school is going really well. I took the last two days off which I will pay for the rest of this week and this weekend but Colby leaves next Wednesday (so sad!) and so I will have plenty of extra time on my hands.
Back to my birthday, for anyone who sent me something (I love you all and you are by far the best people in the world) I haven't received anything although I got an email that the package my mom sent me two Saturdays ago is here for pick up so HOPEFULLY I will have loose mail to go with it and tomorrow will be a good one.
Friday night Colbs threw me birthday fully equipped with rum punch and a homemade red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting (from SCRATCH!) that was AMAZING. That was really fun and I will add pics to show you who was there are all that. Here is a picture of me and all the girls and Colby and all the boys and me blowing out my 23 candles and everyone singing me happy birthday!
The picture at the top is of us tonight and the one of the restaurant is in Iguana Cafe, where Colby took me for dinner tonight. We both had the lobster and rum punch drinks. It was DELICIOUS and we were the only ones there so it was quite romantic. I loved every second of it. To top it off, I accidentally found out what Colby got me for my birthday which is AMAZING but its in the States still and will be coming back with him July 23rd so you can all see it then :) muahahaha! SO RAD!
All in all, a very good birthday .. although there are a few people that didn't call that I am a little bummed out about but .. oh well, what can you do?
Hope you are all doing well and write us soon, things are good on our end! :)
marissalynblack@gmail.com/ colbysbrown@hotmail.com
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