Greetings From Nevis

So I'm finally here. Got here December 23rd. Took a 4 hour flight from Toronto to St. Kitts and hopped on a 45 min ferry to get to Nevis. The Air Canada flight I took was the first direct flight from Canada to come to St. Kitts so we were met by dancers and drumming and small packaged treats. It made me feel real special.

My apartment is nice. Bigger than I expected which is always a good thing. At the front I'm looking at the sea and at the back I'm looking at what I believe is Mount Nevis. It is soooo quiet here especially since its the holidays. Most people are spending time with their families. This is a great atmosphere for studying but I'm not sure how much fun one can have here.

Guys, Internet is soooo necessary. My landlord doesn't know much about it and was of no help. I figured out myself that the place had Internet and it wasn't till Christmas afternoon that I set it up and the evening that I set up the WiFi. Again, Internet is so necessary. I felt lost and alone and disconnected. How does one cope without Internet? Am I addicted? Maybe. But it's an addiction I'm willing to live with!

So I think there are only a couple other new students here right now. The rest will be joining us in the next few days. It'll be nice to get to know some faces before class starts. Orientation is on January 2nd and classes begin on the 3rd for everyone. I'm still excited and I still can't wait to start.

Until next time,

BoomStarzMD

7 days

Sorry for not posting for a while. When I make a post, I always want it to have some sort of meaning and I haven't had any ideas for posts since.

Anyway, as the title suggests, I have just 7 days left in Toronto. In 7 days, I leave for Nevis to start my journey.

I am super nervous but definitely ready to get this thing started. I know and understand that I'm going to be facing a lot of work but for whatever reason, I am craving that right now.

For those who don't know, I'll be on the island for a total of 20 months doing basic sciences and after that I'll travel to the states to do clinicals for two years.

In the 20 months on the island, I will have spent 5 semesters learning the theoretical bulk of information necessary for medicine. Each semester is 4 months and there is about a 2 week break at the end. Hopefully those two weeks will be enough to wind down and relax from the previous semester. We are going to be having exams (blocks) every three weeks so there is really no time to slack off. You always have to be on your A-game. I'm looking forward to this method because I think it can be really helpful. Exams may be annoying but it'll mean you're forcing yourself to study.

In my last week here, I'm running around getting some last things I need, saying goodbye to friends, and anticipating a promising future.

I'll hopefully be updating my blog once a week while I'm there. I won't know what my exact posting schedule will be till I start but I'll do my best to update.

I'm hoping this blog will be an outlet for me and also a way to track my journey so in the future when I want to remember something, I will hopefully have documented the event here.

Anyway guys, unless something incredible (more than normal) happens before I leave, I probably won't update this blog till I'm on the island.

Until next time,

BoomStarz, MD

brain flu

In the black community, mental health issues are often and regrettably regarded as nonexistent. We tend to dismiss odd behaviours and ignore obvious signs of a bigger issue.

"Oh, he just gets moody when the season changes"

"Remember how rude she used to be? someone probably did voodoo to her"

"Oh dad you're so funny, you're playing that pretend game again. It's me, your daughter. Why do you like pretending you don't remember?"

Sadly, these are some of the comments we make when our family members and friends are behaving--for lack of a better word--oddly. Deep down, we probably know these behaviours are not just random states but rather, clear traits.

I know so many people that need to see a professional about their behaviours but the word therapist seems to be taboo in the black community. We need to reconsider and update our ideas of what a therapist is and what a therapist does.

I mean, we see our general practitioners to get yearly check ups but we leave our brain alone and assume it's just fine. When we get the flu, we go in to see the doctor, but what about when our brain gets the "flu"? We can't just assume it'll get better eventually. We need to get it checked out.

Besides, therapists are great people to talk to. You can open up to them and be assured that it'll be kept confidential. What more can you ask for?

I've never been to a therapist because I don't currently need one and have never felt that I needed one but it's not something that I say I'll never need or want. There's a chance I could see a marriage counsellor before I get married, because I'm hoping s/he can help me ensure I have a successful marriage for example.

Anyway, just thought I'd come on here to share that. If you know anyone in your life that just might need a professional look at their brain, make it a suggestion...or maybe suggest they read my blog.

Until next time,

BoomStarz, MD

will work for food

Hi guys,

So I've been looking for a temporary job since I've been out of school in April. It's the middle of September and I have found nothing. It sucks. Big time.

I've been to a few interviews and they've been okay but I haven't been called back and I'm starting to wonder why. I've always thought I had a great personality and that my work ethic was strong and would show through in any interview but I guess being late to each and every one of them didn't help.

It's not like I purposely get to these places late; I try to get there on time but guys, universal forces are against me. I don't think I'm meant to work-- but frankly, I'm getting tired of waking up each day with no where to go.

However, I went for an interview this past Monday and I think I got the job. I mean, they told me to come start training in a few days--that's a good sign right? meh... the job sucks. I'll be outside all day, with Canada's unpredictable weather. The pay is moderate and the hours are good, but the actual job sucks! No worries though, I'll still go for the training and see how I like it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed- maybe I'll actually hate the job so much I'll never want to work again like the job.

I'm still applying for jobs and keeping faith that something great will come along.

Until next time,


BoomStarz, MD

if you gotta go; if the spotlight makes you nervous

things have been so crazy and hectic...
I should have gotten back by now...
but you know how much I wanted to make it...
...I was only trying to get ahead
but the spotlight makes you nervous
and you're looking for a purpose 
----Drake


Hey guys,

So for whatever reason I decided to browse through Facebook and check the pages of childhood friends. I had found out one of them is moving back to his home country and my chest felt heavy, really heavy. We're not very close...in fact, we have only said a few words to each other in the past four years, but I still felt something. I may never get to see him again.

So as I went through different pages, I began to realize something. I am growing up. I am a grown up that is still growing up and guys, I got scared. Really scared!

I've always wanted to travel the world; to be free somehow but life hasn't given me that luxury. Now that I'm four months away from starting medical school, I'm worrying that this is my last chance. To travel. That is, to travel as a single woman. I'm hoping by the next time I get this chance, I will either be married or at least be with the person I am going to marry.

sigh... I'm praying for some miracle that will allow me to travel the world... Spain, Italy, France, Morroco, Cape Verde, South Africa...

I'm hoping I'll wake up tomorrow and I'll get a phone call saying someone wants to give me enough money to travel to countries of my choice and the chance to bring a friend along.

**Fingers crossed**

BoomStarz, MD

Feeling Better- Update

Two posts in one day.

Just thought I'd update the blogosphere that I'm already back in my usual mood. I feel great. I think I was just way too idle so I gave room to petty issues earlier but I'm back to realizing little things don't matter.

I'm not even sure if anyone is reading this, but I'm glad I have a place to spill my feelings.

I can't wait till January to become a student at MUA studying what I've wanted to study for the longest time, medicine.

Thanks for reading,

BoomStarz, MD

Sometimes you're the statue; Sometimes you're the pigeon

I really meant to start this blog in January 2012, but I'm feeling quite down today so I figure I'll make a post. It helps to be doing something rather than being alone with your thoughts. Negative thoughts. Thoughts that make you long for a brighter day. It's raining real hard in my mind right now and when it rains, it pours! I'm glad I'll be leaving for school in the next few months, but I keep looking for something tangible to hold on to now.


I feel super LONELY right now and it sucks!

Nothing to worry about though, I know I'll bounce back but I can't help but feel sorry for myself. I feel helpless, useless, and unwanted. Now-- I know if I needed anything, I have at least a handful of people I can call to give me a boost, but because I'm human, it still never feels enough.

I think I'm a bit nervous for medical school. It's such a huge responsibility and really, after that, my adult life truly begins. It's a bit hard to swallow but I know I'll be fine. I'm always fine. Just staying calm through the turbulence of journey is what I need to deal with.

Loneliness.

BoomStarz, MD

...so it begins

I got in!!!!!!


I'm going to be a doctor!


Took me a while to actually be able to say it out loud (OK, 5 hours) but I'm saying it now and I don't think I'll stop till I earn that "comma M.D." after my name.

More later,

BoomStarz, MD