The last day of 2010!

Today was mostly dedicated to running errands and getting things together for our incoming student orientation next week. Despite our first heavy rainfall experience in Dominica-Ripsey, Romilda and I joined forces and managed to do all of the tasks we had set forth to do for the day. As in my previous entry, we had plans to go to Champs for New Year's Eve and started planning with the gang to meet up that evening for a fun evening out...

In my rain gear

The gang

Officially 2011!

As Ike told us, we were able to get in Champs for 20 EC and had a blast! It was quite the party and we were able to meet a lot more first year students. A group we met last night was from Canada, it's funny because G.P., whom we've all met previously has gathered as many Canadian's as possible to try to see if it is possible that there are at least 40-50% Canadian's that are represented in our incoming class. We all know that isn't going to happen but we'll leave him to be ambitious in his thinking! ;) Anyway, we had a great time and they played top 40, reggae, and old school hip hop. We had an official countdown to midnight with a champagne toast! It was a great way to remember commemorate how we started off 2011 on Dominica island. An adventure that lays before all of us starting on our medical journey together with such passion and a desire to succeed in our future endeavors. I'm really happy that I've met the people that I have thus far, I know that this is just the beginning of a wonderful 16 months. I realize that it will be challenging in many aspects but overall it will enhance whom I become as a physician as well as a member of society. 

In addition to thinking about the future and what is to come in the next year, I've also reflected about 2010 as well. I am really thankful that I was able to complete a year of AmeriCorps with Habitat for Humanity East Bay. I learned a great deal about what it takes to run a nonprofit and the enormous amount of work and dedication that volunteers as well as donors do every day of the week to make families dreams come true with a place to call home. Whether that is in the East Bay or in El Salvador, I was fortunate enough to see both world's surprising similarities and differences, while leaving more enriched because of the experiences/observations. I'm thankful that I met those that work at Habitat and all of my AmeriCorps friends! :) It was a challenging experience but one that I will carry with me forever.

I couldn't have had a better year with those that I love the most --my family and friends. I wish us all a successful, healthy, and most of all a year of love and happiness. Let's have no regrets but live life to it's fullest, here's to 2011!