It begins ... !

This is a quick update which I might edit over the course of the next few days, so keep watching!

To my friends, thank you so much for all your support that helped me get here. The fact that I'm officially registered at Stony Brook's School of Medicine still feels completely surreal. I got my ID card today that says Medical Student ... so as soon as I got home, one of my housemates and I pretty much screamed in pure delight and amazement in recognition of our hard work and effort up to this point in our lives. And we intend to keep going!

What has amazed me so far about my classmates and the faculty at Stony Brook is the familial environment that is constantly fostered. Professors encourage helping each other, there is a completely-run student note-taking service, and ... get this, Cornellians, some of our tests and quizzes are online and can be taken from anywhere with internet access. So much is based on an honor code, and they completely trust us not to abuse this privilege. Coming from the cut-throat environment that was Cornell pre-med, this is insane to me, but I'm sure I'll get over it eventually.

The atmosphere is different, the people are different, the town is different ... a lot to get used to. We have to drive everywhere to get from Point A to Point B, which bothers me a little, but what can you do. Though med school is somewhat expensive, I don't find that Stony Brook is nickel-and-diming the way Cornell did. Our student health center visits are ... wait for it ... FREE ... ! This also includes a massage therapist that works in the health center. WIN! I'll be sure to take advantage of the resources available through campus!

Now, to finish unpacking the room and whatnot. I'll post pictures when I'm finally done organizing myself. So much to do, so little time. Hope you're all doing well, and miss you tons!

Edit (8/27/09 - 1:32am) - Finally finished unpacking everything and sorting my room out. Check out my new room!















Desk and Bookshelf















My very comfy bed, with Salvadoran flag, of course!















Gotta keep playin' music!















And watching TV + video games will be my salvation. On demand, FTW!

That's it for now ... Over and out!

[t]

P.S. - In a few days, I'll be cutting open a dead body ... woot!
















Two of my three housemates and Future Doctors: Linda, Tomas (me!), and Cassie