Hiking to Bense
Us at Bense Pool
Scott's Head - the southern most tip of the island
Us up on Scott's Head
Caribbean Sea to the left, Atlantic Ocean to the right
Button & I at Scott's Head
Us at a lookout point on the Atlantic
Bense Pool (Colby rock jumping!)
Button & I swimming!
Toucari Bay
Driving to go get Button and Warren
Button is here!!!!!!!
all of us at dinner their 1st night here
my Button ♥
Button & me at the lookout
We stopped at a few little places along our way back to Picard and once we got back, we got them settled, bought groceries and just hung out for the night. We went to a restaurant in Portsmouth that was delicious but overpriced with terrible service to boot (typical Dominica).
Sunday we just hung out at the beach near campus since most things are closed on Sundays. The weather was mostly cooperative and we all got a little color. =)
Monday we rented the car again and drove to Bense, and went to a freshwater pool. It was AMAZING. So refreshing, freshwater is totally different than salt water. I jumped off my first rock and had a blast. The Dominican weather rolled in and we bolted out of there because the rain forest gets dumped on and we didn't want to get stuck in the mud in our shitty little SUV.
Today, we kept the car and drove allllllllllll the way to the most southern point of the island to Scott's Head. Its a small strip of land that separates the Atlantic and the Caribbean. After we all snorkeled and took some fab pictures, we drove back up to Roseau to show Button and Warren what the capital was like. We grabbed some lunch and some groceries and the boys took a shot of rum with a dead grasshopper in it - EWW! It was a good trip. I didn't feel well tonight so we are all taking a relaxing night off, being lazy and hanging with our respective lover. hahaha.
Tomorrow, I don't know what we have in store. I am guessing beaching maybe a bit north of us at Toucari Bay.
More to come soon.
Oh, and PS. I got 4 A's and a B this semester, we got our grades today! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!by Marissa ♥
Hooray! I made it! I am officially a 2nd semester medical student. My final was Tuesday at 1p and I was so giddy going into it - just because I was so happy about being DONE with school for a few weeks. I finally calmed down and started working my way through the 39 page, 120 question test packet. I was feeling good. And by the end, I was so confident I had done well, I didn't even read all the answer choices and missed the 2nd to last question. hahaha oops! Anyways, I will find out my final grades sometimes next week and I am just keeping my fingers crossed that I did as well as I feel like I did. Since Tuesday, Colby and I have just been hanging out, been drinking, eating, sleeping in late and hanging out with our friends as they slowly leave to go back to the States. Button and Warren will be here tomorrow and I am TICKLED. Colby and I are going to rent a car and head to the Northeast side of the island. They are on their flights right now on their way to San Juan, Puerto Rico and then will be here tomorrow at 2:30p!!!I will post pictures soon, I am on Colby's computer and all the pics are on mine. Time to eat breakfast, errr, LUNCH! I just woke up at 11:40a. =)Take care! Write soon, if you love us.by Marissa ♥
Definitely no time to post anything too informative.
My final is tomorrow at 1p. I am frantically trying to review/learn all of histology and anatomy.
Hopefully I will be awake when its over and able to celebrate (or mourn) the end of my first semester of medical school!
Big partying plans are in my near future and I can't wait to not remember it all! (hahah j/k Mom!) =P
Back to it.
16 hours til go time. ahhhhhhhhhhhby Marissa ♥
So a little necessary vent session real fast, and then back to the studying.
Some people SHOULD NOT be able to be pursuing a career that will require successful and constant interaction with other human beings.
This frustration comes from seeing/dealing with so many awkward and weird people on a daily basis. For example:
-the girl that chased me down the sidewalk to ask me if I was a 3rd semester, which I am (obviously) not. Now she always stares at me.
-the douche bag behind me that is chopping, sloshing and smacking around his damned Subway sandwich that even with my headphones on playing new Jack's Mannequin, I can still hear the idiot.
-the people that walk down the hall always looking down because looking at another human would just be too uncomfortable, I wish they would just trip and fall.
-the people that bring pillows to the library and squish chairs together to sleep. If you don't feel like you can go home for even a few hours to sleep then 1) stay awake cracked out on caffeine OR 2) accept that you aren't smart enough to do this.
-people that actually have no idea what they are talking about but are rude and force their incorrect information into your brain. SHUT UP if you are wrong.
Okay, that is all for now.
Now I would like to brag, yet again, about how amazing Colby is.
Tonight I had BBQ pork chops, a baked potato with butter, basil, garlic and salt & pepper in foil cooked on the BBQ topped with white cheddar, and corn.
And for the finale, key lime pie bars.
Boo yah. My boyfriend rules!
Back to it. Less than 67 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!by Marissa ♥
Hi ya'll -
So, yesterday was Mini 3 and although I almost cried after the exam, talking to friends I realized I must not have done TOO horribly because of all the questions we talked about I only missed 1 or 2. We shall see. Normally, we would have gotten our raw scores today, but since the entire school is testing right now (2nd semesters have 9 tests in 11 days) I guess the exam center is backed up and we haven't gotten our results. I am pissed - because I would really like to know what I need to focus on for the final - but whatever. Stupid Ross.
Last night after the test I went home, sulked and took a shower. I felt a little better after that and then went to Sister's, a restaurant on the beach with all the friends. I wasn't planning on doing anything but studying, but I had a really good time unwinding and hanging. No excessive drinking, just a few "relaxation" beers. After the sun went down Colby, our friend Nima and I went to get some pizza and then I went home to get all my papers organized. Just wait until you see the stack. Its UNBELIEVABLE.
Colby worked this morning at 7a. I slept in (because I unconsciously turned my alarm off) until 9:45a. Colby went to a friend's bday ice cream party this afternoon and I have been (trying) to study all day. Just took a dinner break but I am back in the library. I am SO burned out but I know the end is near and I would kill myself if 14 weeks of hard work was ruined because I couldn't suck it up for 4 more days.
Here are some pics ..
Me and Charlottle
Linds and Cat
All the girls - Tracy, Charlotte, me, Nikki and Lindsay
(the picture is super blurry, thanks Colb, but the background is amazing!)
Sunset at Sister's
Miss you all! Can't wait to be done!
MINI 1 + MINI 2 + MINI 3 = FINAL EXAM, SEMESTER 1 by Marissa ♥
Seeing as today is August 12th, I only have 7 more days until freedom. This is both exciting and scary. I can't believe the amount of information I have to refresh on -- not to mention I still have Mini 3 to conquer on Thursday. Keep your fingers crossed. Yesterday was the first day I surrendered myself to studying - and it will pretty much stay that way for the next 7 days. Eww.
Last night Colby (& me too, but mostly Colby) made the most AMAZING garlic, white cheddar mashed potatoes. I can't even explain. They were amazing. I just put dibs on him making mashers for Christmas. Mmmm with mom's homemade lasagna! I can't wait to go home! I didn't eat breakfast, so even mashed potatoes sound delicious this morning.
Colby's computer got hacked with a crazy virus last night =(. He opened an email and instantly the desktop picture changed to a blue screen with a warning about Spyware in the middle pop-ups galore started. We took it to the IT dept this morning, but who knows. Hopefully, they can recover it. That is the last thing we need, is to have to buy a new computer right now!
Okay, no more time for this. Cardio phys today.
Peace out!
by Marissa ♥
Most of you know what kind of heavenly pieces I am speaking of. Well, I have decided they are my motivation for the next 10 days. (Well, them and the Bahamas!) Colby went to a friends house last night after we had 2 friends over for dinner *story continued later* and while he was gone, I lit a few candles and watch Army Wives on Lifetime and looked at Christian Louboutin shoes at Neiman Marcus online. "Hello lovely" - as Carrie Bradshaw would say it. Its been a long standing joke that for Med School graduation, Mom is going to get my a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. Well, my new found obsession (and hers!) with Loub's might mean a red bottom instead. I found my dream shoes, now I just need the perfect Betsey Johnson dress and my life will be complete. =)
So, about last night -- Colby thought it would be fun to have people over for dinner so our friends, Nima and Lindsay, came over for fish tacos. Colby made tortillas and BBQ'd some fresh tuna he picked up in Roseau yesterday morning. It was amazing, as always. Lindsay brought a bottle of wine and we all just hung out on the porch, while the Dominican skies dumped water on the tin roofs around us. It was a great time .. its so nice to have relaxing nights with good people that you can talk about more than fenestrated capillaries or tracheoesophageal ridges with (aka med school jargon). And, as always, Colby delivered and amazing meal.
We have a gecko living in our cupboards. He is really cute. I named him Franklin. I am praying that he will eat bugs.. and that will be his rent. He can stay if the bugs stay. That cockroach in my bed the other day was as big as him - so I can't blame him for letting that one slide.
There are some stray kitties that live by the bookstore. Someone told Colby that they think they are some fancy breed that would sell for $1000 in the States. They almost look Bengal-ish. I am trying to convince him to let me adopt one. I told him we could name it Chainsaw. His dream name for an animal. Hopefully, that won't stick - but its a good way to try and finagle what I want! hahaha oops! I don't think it will work out, Colb doesn't want to worry about moving a cat as we move (hopefully) in Dec home, to the Bahamas, to Miami in August 2009 to Chicago (again, hopefully) in December 2009. We shall see!
Histology time. Circulatory system, respiratory system and skin - and then I think I am done for today. We have plenty of time :) I feel good about things. I am just really happy with life right now. Colby and I are doing amazzzing. Semester is almost over. And break is going to be awesome.
Love from the rock.
by Marissa ♥
So after a very relaxing day off yesterday, I am feeling refreshed and ready for the final sprint. I had two tests on Thursday, a histology and an anatomy practical. For histology, we sit in the Annex and slides of different tissues are projected on the big screens and we have to ID them or answer secondary questions about what (think) we see. For anatomy, they pick out good examples from different cadavers, tag stuff and ask questions. Mostly IDs and a few secondary questions too (where does this muscle attach? what nerve innervates the muscle? etc.) They sent out the answers for the anatomy practical and although I don't remember ALL of my answers, I know I did really well! Histo - we shall see. I think I did okay :)
Yesterday, Colby and I woke up late, made breakfast and sat like bumps on a log in bed all day. I had a physiology quiz at 1p - but other than that.. we hardly moved. Watched TV, movies, ate and slept. It was fabulous. We found the Steelers pre-season game against the Eagles on the Slingbox which was super exciting and went at halftime to get some pistachio and strawberry cheesecake ice cream. MmMMmM! We were supposed to go watch the sunset with a bottle of wine - but Colby didn't want to after all - so he owes me one!!
Today was a bit more productive. I had a review for Mini 3 from 9a-1p and Colby went down to Roseau to get some fresh fish and a few other things. We got home around the same time and ate some leftovers. I am getting back into the swing of things, on campus getting back into study mode.
Mini 3 is on Thursday, but thank god we don't have any class this week so I will have lots of time to study (wayyy more than usual). Cardiac and respiratory physiology are a huge portion of the test and will count for 45% of my final grade in physio - so I definitely can't blow that one. I feel good though - I have done well up through now .. and just need to keep it up for 11 more days. August 19th is my final, then I am free!
As you all know, Button and Warren come that Saturday and then we are off to Barbados on Monday, September 1st.
Oh, by the way, I had another cockroach sighting, but this time it was in broad daylight and on my bed. I got up to get in the shower and Colby was laying in bed still and I turned back around to say something to him and the monster-cockroach was crawling up onto the bed. I screamed bloody murder, obviously. Colby came to my rescue and killed the beast, but I am scarred and scared to sleep on my side of the bed. Damnit.
Hope everyone is doing well and only 4 months and 11 days until we come back to the States!!!
Take care, xoxoxox.
by Marissa ♥
Hi ya'll -
So its been a while, I know I know and I apologize. Life has definitely been flying by. The current countdown:
Histology practical: tomorrow
Anatomy practical: tomorrow
Mini 3: Thurs, 8/14
Final: Tues, 8/19
Button and Warren get here: Sat, 8/23
Colby and I leave for BARBADOS: Mon, 9/1
So thats what we have coming up. I have been wasting away and trying to buckle down as much as I can. Colby is working and hanging out and being the good chef that he is. I seriously can not wait to get off the island and enjoy some civilization. Obviously, super excited for what Kim and I call the "Weed-Brown sh*t-show" too.
Last Friday, Colby and I went out to dinner with a whole new group of great friends -- they are more SB style people. Younger, single, and like to drink :) We went to Blue Bay, a restaurant we had gone to before and hated - but it was delicious this time. We had a greatttt time and I am so happy about having fun, new people to hang out with.
See pictures.
So - for all of you who know who Jack's Mannequin (a Black family hero) .. he released a few new songs from his new album. I can honestly say these were the first two songs I have PAID for in years and years. "The Resolution" and "Bloodshot" - if you are curious, click here! (its his myspace).
Hope everyone is doing well. Semester 1 - almost over. Woo hoo!
PS. There is still a chance that we are moving to Grand Bahama in January. There is a meeting Monday and then I will know lots more.. cross your fingers.. get us off this island!!!!
Colby and I on the way to Blue Bay :)
Me and Nikki 
All the girls .. Nikki, Priya, me, Cat, Lindsay, Maria
Errr body with our coconut shots, on the house !
Kiss me you fool!!!by Marissa ♥
So today is the 1 year anniversary of Colby and I meeting. Its been associated with many witty, funny and even inappropriate comments. I told him the other day, as today was approaching that today wasn't going to be our anniversary because I didn't want him to be my boyfriend when I met him .. not at all :) I am so sweet. Butttttttt he got his hooks in - and look at us now!
(this is actually us on New Years, but I love it)
The latest Ross news is that due to increasing size of the incoming classes, they are expanding. I am in this program called PAcE that I was invited to be in based on my incoming MCAT and GPA. NOW -- PAcE students that are currently 1st & 2nd semester, will be attending our 3rd & 4th semesters on Grand Bahama! They will have a temporary campus for us and the real one will open in Jan 2010. Grand Bahama is right off the coast of FL and is a 6 1/2 hr $517 flight from LAX. Leave that morning, get to Grand Bahama before the sun goes down (even losing 3 hrs!). I am sooooo excited and hopefully things will work out. I will know lots more next Tuesday, as the Dean is holding a forum for us. Look at this link if you are interested: Ross Grand Bahama Campus Also, look at this link: Grand Bahama!
FYI: You might have to put your cursor over those two links above, I don't know if they will show up blue/underlined!
I hope all is well with everyone. Keep in touch.
And just to close with a treat ...
Hendry's beach in Santa Barbara in February. That place is beautiful :)
by Marissa ♥
