It's one of those days.

It's one of those days that will etch a mark in my heart forever.

I am in tears.

I have been on the verge of crying several times today, but the ones flowing right now, are the tears of joy.

As most of you know, I'm in the middle of medical school applications, and it's currently occupying every strand of my free time. Although the process is very long, complex, and often frustrating…it turned out to be most unexpectedly rewarding.

I am feeling most richly blessed at this moment because of two people: Dr. Blecher and his wife, Hanne. Mom used to work in Dr. Blecher's laboratory and through her professional relations, closer friendships were formed. Dr. Blecher, a Medical Doctor and a specialist in Medical Genetics, has taught thousands of students and written hundreds of recommendation letters. He offered to help me with my application. I literately jumped at the opportunity. Aside from the amazing editing and polishing work, I enjoyed their hospitality, basked in their warm personalities, and felt for the first time in a long time, special. As an immigrant to this country, the only family I have is Mom, Dad, and Alan. I was never really close to my extended family, not even my grandparents. Well, the cruel reality is, my own grandmother told my father to reject me as his child because I was a girl and not a boy, as she wished. So you can imagine the relationship we shared. Dr. Blecher and Hanne treated me like their own granddaughter. I never realized the hole even existed or how beautiful such a relationship can be, until now. What touched me even deeply is witnessing true love. Mom and Dad have been together for over 25 years, although their relationship is enduring, they don't love each other. Dr. Blecher, though an academic, is truly a very romantic man, and Hanne is a beautiful and kind woman. The deep bond they shared was evident through the smiles, the gentle jokes, the way they talked to each other. It was, truly, a marvel. I thought to myself, this should be why people get married.

They healed me.

The faith and strong conviction Dr. Blecher installed in me through the simple phrase "you will make a great doctor" is the best thing and the only thing I need to continue in my journey.

Earlier today, I visited David's blog and remembered some of my own darkness. I told him to believe in himself, and that I will always believe in him. I think that's it: Dr. Blecher saw something in me and believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.

To Dr. Blecher and Hanne, to all of you who, at one point or another, offered a hand and believed in me when I didn't, a sincere thank you.

Now, even if I didn't make it into med school this round, I won't be disappointed. I've gained something much more important that will last the rest of my life.

Let me tell you:

2% more in my Intermediate Microecon course, Nutrition Course, Biology Course and Organic Chem would boost my GPA by 1.6 points.

2% more in my overall grade would qualify me for $25 000 scholarship for grad school.

I know the motto I wan to live by is:

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change
your attitude. Don't complain."
-Maya Angelou

But damn! This just hurts.

1. Hardcore toywinding!

2. Sunburnt my nose from the 8 hr move-in shift.

3. Meeting and hanging out with Myles! Myles had a cape, sunglasses and a
cowboy hat and he would do crazy poses to direct people during the move-in.

4. "THE CONFUSION" --> on cue Myles, Kevin and I all point different directions when cars pull up. Some people loved it, some people just don't get it...a few people actually started to turn the wrong way (oops!). Wish I had my camera.

5. Staying for the entire Pep Rally and helped clean up at the end (jumping in garbage cans to pop balloons and other fun stuff)

6. Graffiti Club Night at the Grad Lounge. Everyone got a white tshirt and a Sharpie and we all drew on eachother. Too bad (or maybe a good thing) the event was dry, otherwise the writing+doodling could get very interesting. I ended up with a bra drawn on my shirt and "undo me" written with an arrow pointing to my drawn on cleavage (courtesy of Myles). Good thing I had my jacket on when I got home. Another item to keep away from my folks.

Hello Christa my darling!

I'm soo sorry I couldn't make it to our anniversary photo today. I was running around with my head cut off trying to get the Biomed oweek event together. If it makes you feel any better...my event was very successful.

I've been trying...for the last past hour I swear, to send you an ecard via hotmail. I failed miserably. I really need a new computer...but all my crap is on this one, and really, all I need to do is reinstall windows again...but then I'd have to more all my crap on the HDD first before they get erased...cuz I have a lot of important stuff (ie anime) in there...but I really should be working on my med school and grad school applications right and I shouldn't have time for stuff like this...and now I'm ranting.

Don't you miss me?

Maybe we can have a make-up photo tomorrow then? I'll wear my ov shirt with the pom-pop headband and the Mardi Gras beads too.

xoxo

your Ching

I just got back from a wonderful lunch with my research advisors Victoria and Pia at Atmospheres Cafe downtown. I must say, the food was superb. Who knew that blueberries and chicken could go so well together on a pizza? I actually got to take a slice home with me to enjoy at my convenience later. From there, I got dropped off at campus for my Central OV Training. Since I had some moments to spare, I went over to my locker in the MacKinnon building. To my pleasant surprise, the light by my locker has been fixed so I no longer have to worry about the potential of a boogie man waiting in the dark corner. However, when I opened my locker...it was empty except for a little slip that said to renew my locker at the porter's desk.

#&%@!!!

They've taken my old notes and textbooks as hostages huh!

That's a sure yet somewhat offensive way to make me pay the renewal fee. Good thing I didn't leave anything too personal or food items in there!