life & living

The holiday break is over and we're all back to living our lives in our routines. Some of us are back in school (not I, hurray), and some of use are back at our desks (that's me, sad day). I can't decide if Christmas break is actually relaxing for most people. People are driving around from in-law to in-law and this party to this obligation... Not for me though. Christmas was spent amongst friends and in-laws of my sister. Strange, but still a lovely time. However, only for Christmas Eve and Day was there really time to breath.

The week before Christmas, I had the privilege of following several doctors and surgeons. I visited Dr. Ron Hofman at Alger Pediatrics all day Monday. He is a wise, brilliant, and caring man. I respect him a lot and it was great to see the joy that he was able to bring to every patient and parent he spoke with. Tuesday, I did rounds with an RN named Betty on the cardiac floors of Spectrum. I watched a few interventional cardiologist do cardiac artery catheterizations for patients with heart problems. However, Wednesday was the day of all days. I drove to Kalamazoo to watch a 7:15 am surgery with Dr. Mark Veenstra. I got to stay there all day and watch several rotator cuff, tennis elbow, ACL, cataract, and even tummy tuck surgeries. It amazed me. I want to do that! (minus the tummy tuck...) So for now, my eyes are set on that operating room. That is where I want to be. I think my hands were made to preserve life. Way cooler than manufacturing rearview mirrors.

It's January and a typical Calvin student enjoys Interim as he or she is able to spend more time with friends and not be so challenged academically. However I'm working 8-5 pm in Zeeland everyday and at the art gallery 7-9 pm several days a week. I'm find myself studying for the MCAT on my lunch break and thinking about the intensity of the semester coming nearer everyday. Hospital volunteering, engineering research, more organic chemistry, grading, and more work work work are all going to come and beat me to a pulp. I've signed up for this. It's the challenge of proving that you're worthy to go to medical school in only a year. But what about actually living?

What's the point of living in a big Eastown house full of the most amazing female friends you've ever met if you never can spend time with them? What's the point of still being a student at a college with one of the best climbing walls in the state if you don't make time to enjoy it? What's the point of living so near your family if you never go home?

What's a life without living? Simplicity. Balance. Peace. These are my stepping stones toward living better.