tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18473251306569421492024-03-13T21:48:17.547-07:00’13 ILC at VanderbiltDon Gosneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110247579694408858noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-67466715629719534292013-08-20T18:29:00.002-07:002013-08-20T18:29:49.809-07:00From the Parents of Loan Chung
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFzCtdC9xAQ/UhQX_iLaYFI/AAAAAAAAEXY/ZHYmqeoRt1g/s1600/Loan+Chung+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFzCtdC9xAQ/UhQX_iLaYFI/AAAAAAAAEXY/ZHYmqeoRt1g/s320/Loan+Chung+Headshot.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Ivy League Connection has
been an absolute godsend. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We were not too sure about this program at first.
Sending our daughter across the country seemed like a very foreign idea and it
took a lot to finally get used to it. But after seeing what it has given our
daughter we just can’t give enough thanks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We always worry about the fact that
we can’t help our daughter with her education due to our lack of English
skills. We cannot tell her which college is good or what she should do after
high school. Thanks to this program, Loan now has been exposed to different
colleges and learning environments. She now has a much better idea of what she
wants to pursue in the future. It is so great to hear her talk about her
newfound dream college. Seeing her become so much more determined about medical
school after the course at Vanderbilt is truly satisfying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We thank the members of the Ivy
League Connecting for their dedication. Without them we would never dream of
such an opportunity being given to Loan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cuong and Chuong Chung</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Don Gosneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110247579694408858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-34423856349566973432013-08-20T18:23:00.001-07:002013-08-20T18:23:45.457-07:00From the Mother of Thomas Johnston<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05sg6OtWL6o/UhQWc6N6l7I/AAAAAAAAEXM/brhkVT-4yII/s1600/Thomas+Johnston+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-05sg6OtWL6o/UhQWc6N6l7I/AAAAAAAAEXM/brhkVT-4yII/s320/Thomas+Johnston+Headshot.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My son, Thomas Johnston, went to Vanderbilt University with the ILC. This was an amazing experience for him! He got to travel, he learned a lot of math, he now has a much better sense of what he wants in a college, and became more confident and independent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First of all, Thomas got to travel for a week prior to starting classes. How many students have a chance to spend the Fourth of July in Washington, D.C.? He also visited New York City, and Philadelphia. They had a chance to tour Columbia University, Georgetown University, and the University of Pennsylvania. What an amazing trip!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Secondly, Thomas learned a lot of math while at Vanderbilt University. This was the first time ever that Thomas was challenged in math. I could tell from reading his daily blogs that he was enjoying this challenge enormously. He said he learned more math there in a day, than in an entire semester in high school. His instructor, Dawson Gray, was phenomenal!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thirdly, Thomas has a much better sense now of what he is looking for in a college. He got to visit four different colleges. He had a chance to talk with several alumni and found out it is possible to double major in engineering and music performance. Thomas now also has a much better understanding of the admissions process. He had a chance to listen to and speak with several admissions officers, and he participated in a mock admissions panel where he got to look at mock applications and decide who to accept or wait list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lastly, I feel that Thomas has become much more confident and independent. He took the initiative to talk with admissions officers one-on-one to get answers to his questions about double majoring. I don't think he would have had the courage to do that six months ago. Moreover, he learned how to get along with a roommate, how to do laundry, how to manage his time so he could squeeze in early morning work-outs before breakfast, and get his daily blog done before lights out. Above all, he came back with a real focus on what he wants out of his education, and seems very confident that he will achieve the high goals he has set for himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I want to thank Mr. Ramsey and Ms. Kronenberg for their time and efforts in finding sponsors for the amazing ILC program. I want to thank Don Gosney for the endless hours he spent planning and organizing the logistics of the program, and for teaching the students how to blog (our family absolutely loved being able to read the blog of each day's adventures!) I want to thank Mr. Mannix for being a great chaperone for the Vanderbilt cohort, and for making healthy care packages for the students when there wasn't enough time for sit-down meals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Catherine Johnston</span></div>
Don Gosneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110247579694408858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-57781828289074907742013-08-20T18:18:00.002-07:002013-08-20T18:18:52.608-07:00From the Mother of Kimberly de Dios
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkARyPz2tTo/UhQVZpFXB_I/AAAAAAAAEXA/2FvCesx91kI/s1600/Kimberly+de+Dios+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nkARyPz2tTo/UhQVZpFXB_I/AAAAAAAAEXA/2FvCesx91kI/s320/Kimberly+de+Dios+Headshot.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I couldn’t be any happier the
moment I found out that my daughter Kimberly was accepted into the ILC in
December of 2013. Before applying, she mentioned the opportunities the Ivy
League Connection could provide for WCCUSD students. She explained to me how
she could travel to East Coast universities and eventually attend a summer
school program at no cost to our family. I didn’t know that any such program
could exist. Because this was such a great opportunity, I gave her my blessing.
Although she’s never been away from home for more than three days at a time, I
couldn’t let my apprehension for her safety get in the way of this great
opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When Kimberly and I attended
these milestone events before her upcoming trip, I realized that this was going
to be really good in order for her to grow and mature. At the dinner at La
Folie in San Francisco, I met alumni of Vanderbilt University and benefactors
of the ILC. I could see that this was beginning to broaden Kimberly’s college
aspirations. And as for me, I had no idea that sending my child to a university
outside of California could ever be financially feasible. But it was then that
I started to realize that she could study outside of California if she chose
to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reading Kimberly’s blog from
when she saw Pinole Valley grad Dyana So now attending UPenn, I know that my
daughter isn’t limited to applying to schools under the University of
California system. Each of her posts during her stay in the East Coast has
further opened my eyes. I never would have dreamed of being this far away from
home at her age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When my daughter came back, I
felt that she had grown and matured from her experiences. She had the
opportunity to attend the Med School 101 course at Vanderbilt University for
three weeks and tour three colleges beforehand. At the Vanderbilt Summer Academy,
she stayed in the dorms and attended class for six hours. It initially pained
me not to be there for her. But she managed to be on her own. This was a golden
opportunity for me to see Kimberly in a new light, ready to begin her college
path as she now faces her senior year at Pinole Valley High School.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On behalf of my husband and I,
I’d like to thank Mr. Ramsey, Ms. Kronenberg, Don, and all the sponsors for
making the Ivy League Connection available to students like my daughter
Kimberly. And thank you Mr. Mannix for taking care of the Vanderbilt cohort.
You’ve given my daughter a once in a lifetime opportunity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Barbara de Dios</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Don Gosneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110247579694408858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-30132277461638376542013-08-04T22:41:00.001-07:002013-08-18T17:05:26.662-07:00From the Mother of Keli'i Rubin <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftNMkM55fWE/UhBbngybS0I/AAAAAAAAEWw/pF3-3ut1WII/s1600/'13+ILC+at+the+Board+Mtg-019A-DG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftNMkM55fWE/UhBbngybS0I/AAAAAAAAEWw/pF3-3ut1WII/s320/'13+ILC+at+the+Board+Mtg-019A-DG.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ever since the first day I learned that I was required to write a blog, I have been thinking about what I would say. I wrote many generic paragraphs of ways to say 'Thank you'. However, after my son came back I realized just how much those generic paragraphs would not do this program justice. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a single mom, I always wanted the best for my children. I was pregnant with my son at a young age and I didn’t get to go to a four year college like I always dreamed I would so naturally I always wanted more for my children. I just didn’t know how I would get it for them. At best I prayed for good grades so they could get a scholarship. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This program gave my son a rare opportunity that I believe have changed the course of his and my other children's lives. My son was able to see his hard work pay off, which is a life lesson that will benefit and motivate him throughout his life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My younger children watched his journey and my daughter who was having trouble last year in school, told me she plans on working harder this year in school so that she can be like her big brother. Talk about a proud mother moment. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When my son came back from his trip I got a chance to live through his eyes. Through his eyes I took my first airplane flight to the east coast. I stood in Washington, D.C. and could hear the fireworks for the first time. I stood at the Martin Luther King statue and felt a sense of pride I have only read about in history books. Through my son's eyes and experience I was able to attend classes and stay in a dorm. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The ILC made this possible for him. ILC made this experience possible for me. I don’t know how to thank the program sponsors for all they have done for my son. I don’t know how to express my thanks for staying with my son when he had an allergic reaction to nuts and had to be hospitalized for the first time thousands of miles away from home. I feel 'thank you' is not enough to say to this program for taking my son all the way on the other side of the country and bring him back safe and sound. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came back eager to go to college in Georgetown (Go figure since that is not the college he attended but only briefly visited). I do not know how to say thank you for keeping me updated on all the activities and keeping me informed on every expected and unexpected adventure so I can have a peace of mind and sleep at night. So I will not say Thank You because it just is not enough. Instead I will say this program is a blessing and you have changed the course of our life. I am truly grateful for the ILC</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10166752555522361583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-37353026686391843272013-07-31T00:00:00.000-07:002013-07-31T12:25:38.718-07:00To Infinity and Beyond<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just a couple years ago, I was an incoming freshman embarking on my high school career. Walking through my school's college fair, I came across a booth for a program called the Ivy League Connection. And there was former ILC Ambassador Dyana So, manning the table and talking about the ILC in all its glory. As a freshman, I was ineligible to apply, but had the intent of applying either my sophomore or junior year. But as my sophomore year came wallowing by, I did nothing while I saw others try it out. And after hearing about my friend Yessenia Reyna's days at VSA, I regretted nothing more than not giving it a try. So as I started my junior year, I started school knowing that I couldn't let this opportunity pass me by. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I didn't need Don's information session to sell me on the idea of applying as an ambassador for the ILC. With each of the school's program's descriptions in mind, I had an idea of which programs I hoped to apply for. Applying for Vanderbilt University on a whim was one of the best choices I've made in my life. Because I'd be cutting it close with my submissions, I almost passed it up. But because of Yessenia Reyna's encouragement, I quickly wrote my essays and emailed them to Don. I soon found out I went through to the interview round and the rest was history. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After months of preparation, I was out and about on the East Coast. Free from family and friends, I was in charge of my own well-being for three and a half weeks. And like former ILC ambassadors have said, being a part of the ILC is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Just as I had initially thought, I learned things in and out of the classroom. In doing so, I learned more about myself each and everyday. The knowledge and self discovery that came along this trip was endless. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGVaFcpSxBg/UfiX6hS07JI/AAAAAAAAAnk/JRu-df32uQk/s1600/P1030838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGVaFcpSxBg/UfiX6hS07JI/AAAAAAAAAnk/JRu-df32uQk/s1600/P1030838.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acquiring knowledge is endless just as this body of water is. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As a naive freshman, I was stuck inside the Bay Area bubble. Attending college in Southern California was drastic enough. I thought that was what all there was for someone like me. But because of what the ILC has done to me, I know that there's more for WCCUSD students than UCLA or Cal. Although the UC system offers one of the best college educations in the country, students in our district tend to limit themselves only to UCs. And the same could go for anyone in the country choosing colleges that are most comfortable. Personally speaking, I was one of them. I would have never thought that someone from our district could ever venture off into the unknown like Dyana So has in attending the University of Pennsylvania. Not only is it far far away from Pinole, CA, but it's one of the best private universities in the nation. She's left all that was familiar to her and was fearless in doing so. And during her freshman year, she's tackled living on a different side of the country making a new home for herself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOERmxm-81Y/UfiYx9OlNSI/AAAAAAAAAn0/lt7xD1ECvU4/s1600/P1030864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOERmxm-81Y/UfiYx9OlNSI/AAAAAAAAAn0/lt7xD1ECvU4/s1600/P1030864.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before arriving to Columbia University.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">From the West Coast to the East Coast, to a public or private education, everyone has the opportunity to be in charge of their own destiny. Sky's the limit, and so is a student's future. No one should be bound to staying in a familiar environment if given other alternatives. Venturing into uncharted territory is part of becoming independent. And by leaving my family behind these past couple weeks, I got a taste of what being independent is like, free from comfortable settings. I want more for myself than I ever have. As a rising senior, the college application process is soon underway. And from my tours and dinners with former and current Georgetown and Vanderbilt students, I hope to look more into universities outside of California. There's thousands of colleges in the United States alone that no one can simply subject themselves to just applying to nine University of California schools and a couple California State Universities. But if it weren't for the ILC, I would have never heard of Vanderbilt University or Georgetown University, two schools I never would have heard about. And now they're two schools I may actually apply to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Once arriving at Vanderbilt Summer Academy, I gained a wealth of knowledge in my Med School 101 course while discovering more about myself. Med School 101 has taught me the harsh realities of what it takes to be a doctor in our current healthcare system. While there were days that were depressing, it only compels me to want to do something about it. Although I'm not completely sold on the idea of being a doctor, I do know that that option is always there if I choose to act on it. I know that I'm not the only person who's indecisive in their career path, and I'm not ashamed of it. Because of my instructor Mary, I know I don't have to have all the answers in the world right this minute. Sometimes, it just comes naturally, and with time. All I know is that whatever I choose to pursue, I have to be passionate in doing it. Whether I become a doctor or whatever life has planned for me, as Mr. Hillyer would say, it has to have the "That's cool." factor. If not, there's no reason in pursuing it at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With so many bright young minds of all different backgrounds, I felt slightly out of place. Coming from a school where I was easily in the top 10 percentile of my class, to VSA where everyone's just as intelligent if not more, is frightening. But this environment is something that's been both refreshing, and inspiring. It's okay to not be the smartest person in your class. I was surrounded by individuals who came to class eager to learn from our guest speakers and instructors, and from each other as well. It felt a lot different than any of the classes I've ever been a part of. I've learned more in this three week class than I ever have in some of my past classes. X amounts of knowledge was thrusted upon me in such a short amount of time. I'm more motivated than ever to push myself this upcoming year. Rather than taking it easy my senior year, by pushing myself, I hope to prepare myself for what lies ahead. I'm fully aware college won't be an easy ride, just as Med School 101 has proven not to be. I can't imagine being in a different course, let alone a different program. Getting a taste of what medical school is like, I was given an advantage not many students during their undergraduate years of study can say. Listening to the guest speakers and instructors that I did, I couldn't be any more grateful. Having been given my first choice program and course, I couldn't have been happier with the outcomes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vd6agnFMm34/UfibDXGPzMI/AAAAAAAAAoA/qOjYhZ3g6gU/s1600/1002165_10200142555517978_542585934_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vd6agnFMm34/UfibDXGPzMI/AAAAAAAAAoA/qOjYhZ3g6gU/s1600/1002165_10200142555517978_542585934_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lovely Med School 101 class.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcRFA4A34wU/UfihNxI4okI/AAAAAAAAAoc/AFStJvflEWo/s1600/44606_3327653925567_301357959_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcRFA4A34wU/UfihNxI4okI/AAAAAAAAAoc/AFStJvflEWo/s1600/44606_3327653925567_301357959_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VSA all the way!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Before leaving for my East Coast journey, I was afraid of not making any friends at VSA. At least, I was a little apprehensive at the idea of it all. And I couldn't help but feeling that even more after arriving late my first day. And I was completely wrong. It would have been hard not to make friends in such a welcoming environment. Being at any summer camp, everyone is that new kid on block, let alone dorm room. I was forced to break free from distraught and make new friends. Given this amount of time, it's hard to think how I made so many friends, let alone close friends. From my proctor group to my Med School 101 classmates, to all the VSAers, we became a family. Not only did I enjoy their company, but I learned something about each about where each of these individuals came from. Never did any of these individuals show that they did have money. You would have never known about their financial circumstances right from the start. There, I met some of the most humble and brightest youth all gathered into one summer camp. I never felt on edge for being sent to VSA on a scholarship. Money was the least of our worries. Instead, we all hoped to make the most of our stay at Vanderbilt. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whether I met someone from my home state of California, or someone all the way from Shanghai, they all made my VSA experience unforgettable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fWOu2KIdyxA/UfihQtBovXI/AAAAAAAAAog/cJC_IBUW-0Y/s1600/965363_404593829646469_1062211981_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fWOu2KIdyxA/UfihQtBovXI/AAAAAAAAAog/cJC_IBUW-0Y/s1600/965363_404593829646469_1062211981_o.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last proctor group picture for our last dance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With that being said, the Ivy League Connection has definitely changed my outlook on college, let alone life. This journey has opened up my eyes and prepared me for college like no other. I knew that I was in for a life changing experience, but not to the degree that I was immersed in. I came into this experience wrapped in my cocoon, and now I come out of it, a fluttering butterfly. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There's nothing but advantages to being a part of the Ivy League Connection.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Sadly, not everyone from our school district can take part in this opportunity. But as an ILC ambassador, I hope my daily posts on this blog inspire students to look beyond the boundaries we've all been guilty of staying in. No one is preventing you from going after what you want but yourself. After all, everyone is in charge of their own destiny.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> This couldn't be more self-evident throughout my entire East Coast stay. Moving ahead towards my senior year, I plan on taking action and talking to students of Pinole Valley High about my ILC journey. And I hope eligible students jump at this offer. Besides, there's no hurt in trying. Given my experience, you'll never know unless you try.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taNp-v15olA/UfiuYFUuEDI/AAAAAAAAApA/vno3DSxc4DA/s1600/LC.26.7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taNp-v15olA/UfiuYFUuEDI/AAAAAAAAApA/vno3DSxc4DA/s1600/LC.26.7.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before leaving Nashville, dressed in our Vanderbilt apparel in front of VU's sign!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I
can't thank the Ivy League Connection enough for accepting me into their
program. It's done so much for me that I hope to give back in every way that I
can. I can't help but feel blessed to have taken part in such a once in a
lifetime opportunity. I'd like to thank everyone who has made this dream a
reality: Mr. Ramsey, Ms. Kronenberg, Don, the sponsors, Mr. Mannix, and my
parents. I will forever be grateful and humbled to be one of this year's ILC
ambassadors. With a wealth of knowledge behind me, I look forward to capping off my high school career and starting a new chapter of life: College.
Although my East Coast experience has ended, my journey continues. As my
S-House Space Jammers would say, to infinity and beyond!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15987415799173146146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-46365818290544235662013-07-30T23:59:00.000-07:002013-07-30T23:59:02.063-07:00The Game Changer<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxC2-KgC9JU/Ufij7rsGKNI/AAAAAAAACVI/YT5tcBdpvGI/s1600/Keli'i+Rubin+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxC2-KgC9JU/Ufij7rsGKNI/AAAAAAAACVI/YT5tcBdpvGI/s320/Keli'i+Rubin+Headshot.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The suit and tie life, "Professional Side."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I think about what the ILC and the Vanderbilt trip has done for me I think of the words game changer. I say these words because the ILC changed my life. The first thing the ILC did for me was test my business and professional skills, which I loved because I finally got a chance to put my forensics' skills to use outside of debate. I feel that the ILC taught me and forced me to be way more independent than I usually am. Our independence was put to the test as we woke up on time, went to class, made our own decisions, all thousands of miles away from home. These were some of the tasks and responsibilities that the ILC trusted us to do, and it caused us to grow up and for-fill them on our own without any help. Okay maybe a little help from Don as he sent a couple of emails here and there. The ILC forced us to grow up as they made it clear to us that the things they instructed us to do were mandatory, or else we would be fired just like a business job. Us growing up began right from the first meeting in the school's library. We all found out the intimidating requirements in this first meeting, as some backed out of an opportunity of a life time like cowards, while others stepped up to the challenge like young men and women and blossomed like a rose in the crack of cement. This program obviously wasn't for everyone as there were a given number of people who were accepted. After the information session everyone who was still interested in the program had to put on their big boy pants and get ready for the ride as we were put through an interview that determined the programs finalists.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This was stressful waiting in class for the verdict of who made it or not, and I tell you when I made it I felt like a boy in a candy store as I tried my hardest to stay professional, which unlocked some inner self control. All of the events scheduled and tasks that were given to us required professional care from being on time, getting jobs done by specific date, checking your email, and most importantly following directions. I feel that I can go into, well almost go into a corporate job and be prepared for the life style.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nom7h3-Yv74/UfikYb9xk1I/AAAAAAAACVQ/sVOm8xFiwwc/s1600/1372954903118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nom7h3-Yv74/UfikYb9xk1I/AAAAAAAACVQ/sVOm8xFiwwc/s320/1372954903118.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">GORGEOUS D.C. or THE NATIONS CAPITAL</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The second game changer occurred when I stepped off the plane in beautiful D.C. Stepping off the plane in D.C. made me realize that I really wanted and need to go out of state for college. Discovering a new world in D.C. made me fall in love with the scenery, which led to one of my top two schools. Georgetown locked up the number two spot on my dream college list. The ILC strayed me from my plans of attending college close to home, as I fell head over heels for Georgetown and what they are about. Georgetown is a school that wants their students to give back to the community, and that's all I ever wanted to do growing up in San Pablo, California. Georgetown was the top of the top for me out of the colleges we seen. I really loved their internship program, and I later found out that the majority of colleges we visited didn't have this program to offer. When I ventured through D.C I began to see that it was a combination of forest and city life. This showed me the capital had a calm side I could always run to, but it also showed me that it had enough activities to offer like a city.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iC113G9WG6w/UfirWLbIcqI/AAAAAAAACV0/EpDhTFdtYr4/s1600/20130722_095120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iC113G9WG6w/UfirWLbIcqI/AAAAAAAACV0/EpDhTFdtYr4/s320/20130722_095120.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Trying to save lives in microscopic surgery.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMAWOcpeiAs/UfiuOfmZixI/AAAAAAAACWE/0v8uiWE8YEc/s1600/1373831383532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KMAWOcpeiAs/UfiuOfmZixI/AAAAAAAACWE/0v8uiWE8YEc/s400/1373831383532.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I am Bi-U the GATOR WRESTLING CHAMP!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When we got to Vanderbilt my engineering class made me realize I wanted to do something in life that required my mind and hands. I enjoyed my class, but I definitely don't want to do BME or Bio Medical Engineering. Before this class I thought that I wanted to do something that required me to wear a suit and tie the rest of my life, but I was way off. I really want to invent the next big thing, which I don't know of just yet. BME was involved too much medical background for me. It seemed to me you had to have all of the knowledge that a sergeant has if not more when being a BME. I feel that the VSA program interacted their students very well. Being at school for so long made me home sick, but it also made me connect with people bringing me out of my hard comfort shell. The people in my proctor group were very close knit kind of shying me away from my homesickness, and bringing me into my own person. At VSA I had no one kind of like an actual college at first, but refusing to be a loner forced me to venture out into new groups. They were actually friendly and I really connected. Some connections were so strong that I shed tears as they called me Bi-U and for the last time. My class showed me that a bunch of teens can get together for three weeks and be a family. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I honestly believe that the ILC has made my mind up for a lot of things with this very expensive trip. I feel that with me experiencing this trip I know way more about what to look for in a college, I feel like I can now go off to college in another state without feeling homesick, and I also feel I can now live more independently then I ever thought I could. I feel that the ILC is a program that should be offered nationwide, because it teaches teens how to grow up in the prime of their high school lives. This program also allowed me to get a feel of what I need in a college in order to go there. I thank the ILC for everything for the trip, for the life time connections, and most importantly showing me a taste of the adult life. I can't thank the ILC enough; I look forward to seeing you next year. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10166752555522361583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-69446873549330466942013-07-30T23:40:00.000-07:002013-07-30T23:43:28.886-07:00Metamorphosis<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was nervous throughout my time with the ILC. I was nervous about writing my essay, submitting it, the interview, the first few blogs, whether I would get the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="d2e0568c-d8d1-44c5-95fe-71528106f47c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f1ff4fa-0e56-4b32-893c-e40f363a4128" grcontextid="Med:0">Med</span> School 101 <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="f3a72ee6-2399-4410-9930-a771c6cc87a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3f1ff4fa-0e56-4b32-893c-e40f363a4128" grcontextid="course:1">course</span>, the trip, making friends, taking the course, and now writing this blog. I think I was nervous even before the first presentation Don give, nervous about whether or not I would be selected to attend the presentation. Back then I wasn't the most confident person. I didn't think that my essays or interview would stand a chance against the fellow applicants<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="fa71a2e0-4983-415f-b11a-61b7ba3c4551" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eb7f0f95-29a6-454c-a351-8ba04911be03" grcontextid=".:0">.</span>However after each nerve-racking event, the feeling of relieving that flows through me makes it all worth it, it makes me a little more confident about the next. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I knew I wanted to be a part of the ILC the minute I heard of it and there was no changing my mind. I knew exactly what my first and second choices were and I knew exactly what course I wanted to take. I was going to do whatever it takes to make it happen. I was prepared to grovel at my parents' feet and beg them for permission. I was prepared to put in hours of research to write a worthy essay. The parent begging part I wasn't too confident about since they have denied me of a similar trip before and it was only one week long. I didn't know how they would feel about a couple of weeks of independence. Of course as I mentioned I was also not too sure about my essays and interview. I reached out to my peers and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_noSuggestion GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a15cee56-2537-46ad-991b-da2f1b5e4ed9" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="7ddd089e-0bf3-44eb-86fe-f3803594cc7f" grcontextid="upperclassmen:0">upperclassmen</span> to help me edit and revise my essays. I think it was close to 11 PM when I got the email from Don telling us that we are qualified for the interview. I immediately jumped from my desk and let out a yelp. I danced around for about five seconds before I heard my dad yelling at me to keep it down. I told him why I was being loud-<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="aa10d0c7-bdda-48ab-82dd-e70306b89f85" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="3a6316b8-4ef8-4337-8216-8ad8be3ad45a" grcontextid="ish:0">ish</span> and his reaction was a little disappointing, probably because he wasn't sold on the whole ILC thing yet. Once I knew that the interview was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="118398dc-c3e4-4605-9a4e-55c5d931c4ee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fc8f0c7b-a64f-4efb-b676-91d774807724" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> 'go', I once again asked for help from my elders. I think that attending the mock interview helped me the most. I got a good outline of what to prepare for. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNwYQInW3oQ/Ufh-c-RC_aI/AAAAAAAAA4c/rnu275-RIoI/s1600/'13+Vandy+Interview-246AA-DG+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNwYQInW3oQ/Ufh-c-RC_aI/AAAAAAAAA4c/rnu275-RIoI/s400/'13+Vandy+Interview-246AA-DG+(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went from here........</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I remember my friends and I talked about how early we were going to show up at the front of the library for the interview. We all joked and said that we shouldn't even leave the school and we should just go there. When the day did come I ended up waiting there one hour earlier than needed because I wanted to make sure that I was there before Don and that I didn't read the time wrong due to my nervous wondering eyes, so one hour seemed like a good buffer. From beginning to end, it felt like someone took all my nerves and muscles and twisted it repeatedly. I had a sick feeling in my stomach and I thought that I was going to pass out. As we were waiting for our turn and also while we were waiting for the final decision, I paced around in the small room while my friends were all sitting and looking extremely calm. For me, it was going to be the end of the world if things didn't go well. Luckily it did, and I hurdled through one of the biggest ILC obstacles. I think I also let out a yelp when the panelist announced my name and my heart pounded faster than when I was anticipating. Don explained to us repeatedly what was expected of us throughout the whole process and I had it engraved into my head. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with everything that was going to be given to me. Before getting the experience I knew that I was going to spend time convincing the masses of students to apply for next year. And knowing what I know now I would have included convincing them how awesome East coast colleges would be would be. I was going to anyway but not with the determination that I now have. I was prepared to be the mature, responsible, and punctual adult that everyone in the ILC expects me to be. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The months that followed the interview really tested everything that was asked of me. I had managed to get my parent to flow with the whole ILC trip and once they understood everything about the program (after about a million <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="02cf00e6-d4ff-43ec-8771-a413ff0a8523" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="21931caf-d44c-467d-81cb-51c91875fa21" grcontextid="explanation:0">explanation</span>, even up to now), they loved the idea. Between my friends (those who were also at the ILC) and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8da0594a-4dd3-4b2d-9664-17d72283e391" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79405ccd-8bcd-4d56-8e3a-304d9c3ecc49" grcontextid="I:0">I</span>, we had wordlessly <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="79fe61c4-423b-44ac-9aae-3d693860908b" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79405ccd-8bcd-4d56-8e3a-304d9c3ecc49" grcontextid="setup:1">setup</span> <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="009ab0a2-fbeb-4e0e-b9b2-22df630c1a4f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="79405ccd-8bcd-4d56-8e3a-304d9c3ecc49" grcontextid="a:2">a</span> Don's Email Watch Group. It was an unsaid mutual agreement that we would alert each other whenever Don would send out an email. Each time that I thought that an event was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="a9f4ef28-6839-4135-9435-d8ed526febc2" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="ec640a16-5ab4-450d-b98e-61cb3d8536aa" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> a few weeks away, it would come speeding without my knowledge. Next thing I know the first blog tutorial passed, the school board meeting passed, the city council meeting passed, the alumni dinner at La Viola passed, the orientation passed and it was departure time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was prepared for a life changing trip but what I got was just beyond that. It's like comparing a ten (on a scale of 1-10) to an infinity. I cannot stress how important it was for me to be able to visit UPenn, Colombia, and Georgetown. To be able to feel that Independence Day spirit in DC that make me more determined to make something out of my future. I made a connection at Georgetown that had me prepared to put a ring on it. Unfortunately Georgetown does not have a binding policy but early decision is good enough for me. I knew that going out of state for college was an option for me even if my parent wasn't on-board with it yet. The only thing was that I was pretty much going into it blind. I didn't even know that Georgetown existed and I didn't know that not every college is for me. I never thought about how the environment would affect how much I would like a college, I just thought that of the academic was <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="8af840c0-9af0-486b-936c-c4f64adbfd7f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1707b487-9d07-4740-aeda-006f3debf03a" grcontextid="good:0">good</span> then I was good. I loved how Colombia valued their education but the campus itself felt a little suffocating. But as I step foot onto Georgetown University grounds, I knew that something special was awaiting me. As I hear the admission officer talk and the tour guide talked, each box on my What To Look For In A College list was checking itself. The dinner with the Georgetown alumni and current students not only let me <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bc72d310-bab5-4444-b74b-b6acc6403755" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c5933af-4569-4f03-a64c-e9794c00d6c4" grcontextid="explored:0">explored</span> GU more but it also prepared me for college in general. Aside from the academics the first week of the trip was mind blowing. I don't think I have ever had that much fun in my life. I have been to more states in one week than I have been in the eight years that I have lived in the U.S. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4ZbWxf6DyQ/UfifNMY6CcI/AAAAAAAAA4s/AHDR-Q4En44/s1600/100_4070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4ZbWxf6DyQ/UfifNMY6CcI/AAAAAAAAA4s/AHDR-Q4En44/s400/100_4070.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...<span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="e80b2fb6-5cdc-4222-a387-b15428c3c411" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a331fb2f-3105-41c6-8535-6af7f410c509" grcontextid=".:0">.</span><span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="bd307026-2e30-4b67-9179-bbb405561d9c" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a331fb2f-3105-41c6-8535-6af7f410c509" grcontextid="to:1">to</span> here....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The knowledge that was given to me <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0fa372cb-bdca-4e1b-9d38-13cd1107a4b7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6cb7cc92-4faf-4529-bdb1-d82e320e8e37" grcontextid="from:0">from</span> the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="b11a2c9c-591a-4dab-b3ff-355eb87a61e7" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="6cb7cc92-4faf-4529-bdb1-d82e320e8e37" grcontextid="Med:1">Med</span> School 101 course was truly priceless. It was like my whole life I have been using the same brown, normal size, wooden door to get me to places but after the course it was like all the other doors, more colorful and varying in size, finally opened and I used them to broaden my path. It allowed me to think more about my career path and it made me more determined than ever to follow it. I know that wanting to help other is a good reason to why I want to be a doctor but medical school wants more than that. This course helped me find those reasons and pushes me to complete my goal. I was also exposed to other possibilities in the field of medicine. I learned that I don't have to major in science to go to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="ba54d0c0-9845-4479-a7b2-0bf0c76df3a8" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="e7a45a35-7adc-4391-9ca1-d3ef133663e2" grcontextid="med:0">med</span> school, I can major in anything I want and follow my passion to make myself unique. The instructors were the best instructors anyone would have ever asked for. They did not baby us, they gave us a slightly <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="1206537c-4023-4997-8f04-658a7c723dbf" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="1f355765-56f5-407b-a278-3a1bf802ad01" grcontextid="water:0">water</span> down and speedy version of what medical school would be like. They worked extremely hard to give us shadowing experience that will always be a part of me. My favorite lessons are the ones where I learn about the ethics that comes <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="694c73de-07f7-4f2d-9185-9cab82dcb997" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="fb2afba5-340b-4ff8-bda4-5c76836c36b6" grcontextid="with:0">with</span> pursuing the medical career. I hope to be able to use what they taught me and what I experienced to help contribute to my own school's Health Academy. Not only was the information given in the course invaluable but the environment in which it was taught in was rare. Every single student in the class wanted to be there. They all wanted to learn, to explore, and to experience. We were all competitive and we all loved to <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="0ec95dba-f1cf-4224-a791-24547b05d948" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="564812b4-151e-451c-ade5-885d19db245e" grcontextid="challenged:0">challenged</span> ourselves. I love it to death! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Outside of the course, VSA did plenty to help us prepared for college. My favorite experience would have to be the one where I got to be a college admission officer for a night. They not only told me what CAO expects from a student, they showed us how the process works. I learned that personality and background play a big part in a college application. I hope to be able to replicate that experience and bring it back to my own school because everyone deserves to see what it's like. I also learned, from college info session, that I can go beyond medical school and law school. I could further my education by getting into <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="be7f47e5-81a3-4174-a3c1-4538e5d3a14f" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c3860d37-715a-4511-b2be-6d7e0c1c7de6" grcontextid="a:0">a</span> MD/PhD program. I could work to become a doctor and work on research to help us better understand medicine. Being able to hear about all the proctor's first year college experience felt like I was being pushed out of the way of a speeding truck. I know that college is going to crush me like the tiny ant that I am but they proctors told me that it was all a part of the experience and the growing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Making friends at VSA was one of the most amazing things ever. We all didn't care about how we presented ourselves and we all had a silent agreement of "Let's be more weird together". My friends and I was a pretty crazy and comical bunch. I have gotten closer with them in three weeks than most <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="9f721623-0697-4580-90c2-750bb57f3385" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="d906c3c4-5cd1-4ec3-8118-fd4a4c40c0d6" grcontextid="other:0">other</span> that I have known for years, sharing such a great experience together really brings everyone closer. We fought like regular friends but no matter how serious we would be laughing and joking at the next meal. It was interesting to hear different stories about where everyone lives and while they thought that <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="67634f60-c80f-43b4-9f0d-39ec7cc1203a" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="a6ff6cec-6a11-4bf5-8556-341647b09963" grcontextid="me:0">me</span> living in California was the coolest thing ever, I thought that their life was awesome. Being able to live independently had taught me a lot of things. If there was no one complaining about the state of my room then I would leave it be, messy or not. I cannot wake myself up <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="18b37286-0dcf-4a6f-9533-588c736db65e" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="4c85a646-2082-4270-97b5-59a37d9d6169" grcontextid="of:0">of</span> I was given the option to not attend to something. All my clothing should be the same color for the sake of them staying the same color. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUd9AGGGeuo/Ufitx3uPH0I/AAAAAAAAA48/25MNT1xRYGY/s1600/P1040138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUd9AGGGeuo/Ufitx3uPH0I/AAAAAAAAA48/25MNT1xRYGY/s400/P1040138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ever since my return from the trip I feel like me but not. I look at most everything differently and think about everything differently. I still have more growing to do but I certainly have grown a great amount since the ILC have became a part of my life. The journey came and went much too fast and I wished that I can relive this period over and over again. I have gone pretty far from where I started. I discover a dream college, new paths, I made some great friends, and learned unforgetable lessons. I went from being a shakingly nervous, under confident, uninformed, and lost little caterpillar to a chrysalis. From the outside nothing is happening but inside big changes are taking place. I'm not ready to be a butterfly yet but some day I will be. I know I will attempt to be a part of the ILC again to aid my metamorphosis.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-se9ZcDvptTI/UfixGX-p8vI/AAAAAAAAA5M/I0O-zd4eHJs/s1600/LC.26.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-se9ZcDvptTI/UfixGX-p8vI/AAAAAAAAA5M/I0O-zd4eHJs/s320/LC.26.6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11262628616351574581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-1878507304115267412013-07-29T18:41:00.001-07:002013-07-29T18:41:58.845-07:00Looking Back on My Adventure<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qprlsl2Q4Lk/UfbWda7OV2I/AAAAAAAAAVo/3uA1DaLWpKc/s1600/100_4547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qprlsl2Q4Lk/UfbWda7OV2I/AAAAAAAAAVo/3uA1DaLWpKc/s320/100_4547.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawson (my math instructor) and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking back
on my ILC adventure, I realize that there are three big things I take away from
it: 1) academic content from my math course, 2) a better understanding of the college
admissions process/what I am looking for in a college, and 3) improved life
skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">First of all, the course "Special Topics in Math" was the whole reason I wanted to go on this trip. The
course blew my expectations out of the water. When I applied, I was thinking,
“That sounds like a good course.” I was wrong. It was an awesome course, the
best math class I have ever taken! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the class,
we tackled a wide variety of math concepts from puzzles, to Trigonometry, to
Combinatorics, to Game Theory, to Code Encryption. Although we did a different
Puzzler everyday, they always challenged me. I learned something new from each
one that I can apply to other math puzzles and concepts. I always looked
forward to them as a great way to start class.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8PZ6n7AvgM/UfbTzdbLQsI/AAAAAAAAAVU/r07B-xLSD_c/s1600/100_4550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8PZ6n7AvgM/UfbTzdbLQsI/AAAAAAAAAVU/r07B-xLSD_c/s320/100_4550.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My math textbook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Independent
Study really helped me learn how to study for math. I have never had to study for a
math test, but now, when the time comes, I will know how. Studying is all about
being able to gauge what you know. Dawson (the instructor) really helped us with
that by letting <u>us</u> decide when we were ready to take the quiz, instead of having a scheduled quiz for each section.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dawson’s
lectures were always interesting, and highly educational. There was never a
time when I wanted the lecture to be over. Through these amazing lectures, I
got a sneak peek at the math I will tackle in the future from Pre-Calculus to
college level math. Dawson’s awesome lectures were always reinforced by
activities/competitions. Some of my favorites were Jeopardy and the two-hour
Scavenger Hunt. These activities took already awesome topics, and made them 10
times more fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Over the
course of the three weeks, we did two big projects. The “Teach the Class”
project was by far the most fun and educational. It was fun to see my classmates
try their hand at teaching. Some of the things I learned from teaching and
watching other students' lessons include: a new way to factor a quadratic equation, how
to deal with students passing notes, and how to deal with a lesson that
completely failed. Dawson’s three pages of feedback afterwards were really
helpful. I probably won’t ever become a teacher, but this will certainly help
me teach others when they come to me for math help.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvu8fy8X__0/UfbTCg45HgI/AAAAAAAAAU8/yV880hXV94E/s1600/100_4070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvu8fy8X__0/UfbTCg45HgI/AAAAAAAAAU8/yV880hXV94E/s320/100_4070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After lunch with Dyana in Philadelphia!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The second thing I got out of this program was a better understanding of what I want in a college, and the admissions process. Before goi</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ng
on this trip, I had no idea where I wanted to go to college. All I knew was
that I want to become a Civil Engineer. Spending July 3rd</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> with Dyana
helped me make a huge leap from indecision to having a pretty good idea what
I’m looking for in a college. Some of the things she discussed with us included: finding your passion, determining your interests/priorities, deciding your
level of involvement, and making any given mistake once, and only once. That
was just at breakfast. I learned even more from her UPenn tour and from eating lunch
with her.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Talking with Kathleen (one of the Vanderbilt proctors) enlightened me about some of the opportunities in college. She is double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Music Performance at Vanderbilt. Before talking with her, I had never thought of doing both music and engineering in college. Throughout high school, I have and continue to struggle to balance both music and engineering courses. I had never even dreamed of being able to do both in college. Now I want to go to Vanderbilt so I can do both! (Most universities do not have a School of Music and a School of Engineering, so Vanderbilt offers a </span><u style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">very</u><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> unique opportunity.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The mock
admission activity I did at Vanderbilt really helped me understand the process. In the
activity, we read the profiles of four students who applied
to “Red Brick University,” and then decided who to accept, reject and waitlist. What
surprised me the most was that admissions officers (at least the Vanderbilt
ones) practice positive advocacy. They try to find the strong points in
everyone, not look for faults in everyone. I also learned that small committees
narrow down the applicants, and then present them to the whole group. All the
officers then vote on who to accept, reject and waitlist.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYqlXtcBwAw/UfbTDTxq5NI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/5OJvP-GLU9Q/s1600/New_York_Taxi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYqlXtcBwAw/UfbTDTxq5NI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/5OJvP-GLU9Q/s320/New_York_Taxi.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taxi!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thirdly, this trip
taught me some very important life skills. One of the first things I learned
was how to deal with a taxi (catching one, telling the driver where to go,
paying the driver with an appropriate tip, and getting a receipt.) I got to
practice this in San Francisco (for the Vanderbilt Alumni Dinner) and in D.C. to get
between Union Station and the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Before the
ILC, I had never written a blog before. Now that I am an experienced blogger, I
realize how helpful blogging is. It really makes you think about what important
things happened that day, and also gives you a written record of what happened.
It may be very time consuming, but it is definitely worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This trip
really helped me improve my time management skills. During our week touring
colleges, we got up early, and got back to the hotel rather late, but I still
had to find time to squeeze in blogging. The first couple nights were a
disaster: I stayed up way past midnight to finish the blogs. By the middle of
that week, I was working on my blog during every bit of down time I had, so
that I could get a reasonable amount of sleep. While at Vanderbilt, I used my
free time wisely, so that I went to bed on time most nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Without the ILC, I would never have experienced dorm life until college (assuming I would go somewhere far from home, which would not be likely without my ILC experience.) Living with a roommate was definitely a unique experience. I was lucky to have a good roommate. He was very accommodating, reasonable and friendly. I was worried I would get a horrible roommate, but it turned out great instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I also had to do my own laundry. I help do laundry at home, but doing it full on your own is a different experience. I also had to decide when would be a good time to do laundry. This involved budgeting enough time to wash and dry, but also anticipating how crowded the laundry room would be.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cnl1ms4DMD4/UfbTDfY4m7I/AAAAAAAAAVM/q8lTmmv4b4c/s1600/100_4555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cnl1ms4DMD4/UfbTDfY4m7I/AAAAAAAAAVM/q8lTmmv4b4c/s320/100_4555.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with my proctor Hugh!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As the name
suggests, the Ivy League Connection is about making connections. I made some
very important connections through this trip. First and foremost, I made
connections with Vanderbilt alumni at the Vanderbilt Dinner in May. If I have
any questions about Vanderbilt, they were (and still are) happy to answer them.
I also made connections with four Georgetown students/alumni at the Georgetown
dinner we attended in D.C. One of the alumni even offered to read my college
application essays!! My connection with Dawson (my math instructor) is priceless. He has offered to
write me a letter of recommendation, if I so desire. I know that if I ever
encounter a complicated math concept/problem, he would be able to help me. The
final connection I made was with the VSA proctors, specifically Hugh (my
proctor) and Kathleen. I learned a lot about college from both of them, and
will definitely stay in contact with them. I will definitely take advantage of the connections the ILC helped me make!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, the
ILC was a life changing experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything! I've learned a lot of math, learned about the admissions process/where I want to go to college, and gained a lot of important life skills. I would
like to thank Don Gosney, Charles Ramsey, Madeline Kronenberg, Mr. Mannix and anyone else involved with this program for making this
amazing experience a reality. I will highly recommend the ILC to every qualified
student at PVHS. I’m sure going to any college with the ILC is an awesome
experience, but of course, Vanderbilt is the best one of them all! I look
forward to being able to participate in the ILC next year!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879196077447679026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-29418980929681349992013-07-27T10:37:00.000-07:002013-07-27T10:37:08.883-07:00Bittersweet Adventure<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="GingerNoCheckStart"></span>It was finally time to say our final goodbyes and go our separate ways. The heavy hearted feeling hit me after breakfast when people started to check out. I hung with my friends for as long as I can before they had to go. After they left I went to sit in my room and I just felt really really sad. I have made some very good friend at VSA and although we will be able to keep in touch through various social networks, we most likely won't ever see each other again. After Mr. Mannix came to pick us up, I took one last look at my home for the past three weeks. I'm going to miss VSA and everyone in it tremendously.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-RxDoJFlY4/UfOapCk-cVI/AAAAAAAAA4M/88qVkOMe7rs/s1600/LC.26.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-RxDoJFlY4/UfOapCk-cVI/AAAAAAAAA4M/88qVkOMe7rs/s320/LC.26.6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RAVTHecSAc/UfOVi75Y9EI/AAAAAAAAA30/iEP9zCzp9Xk/s1600/LC.26.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RAVTHecSAc/UfOVi75Y9EI/AAAAAAAAA30/iEP9zCzp9Xk/s320/LC.26.31.jpg" width="320" /></a>We made our way to the book store to buy ourselves some nice Vandy apparel. After we went across the street to a Vanderbilt University sign to take a few group pictures. Then we went to the admission office attempting to get into an info session but it was full. So we decided to visit the Nashville Parthenon. It's even bigger than I imagined it would be and it was just beautiful. For someone short like me climbing up the step was a bit of a challenge. Under the Parthenon is actually a little museum about the history of the place and the different artifacts from that time. On the upper level of the museum is actually the ground level of the Parthenon and it is the home of the famous Athena statue. It was definitely different then what I thought it would be, yet again. Turns out they recently colored Athena with a coat of gold (real gold) and did her make up. I felt that it was a bit too flashy and she would have looked magnificent in her original white color. The snake beside her represent the people of Athen and her shield is protecting them. The room behind Athena had some iron cast doors with lions' heads on them. It turns out that it is lucky to pat/pet lion's nose, so I did.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4jMPDBQEr4/UfOVZv0PeSI/AAAAAAAAA3s/AuOmpe_vrIw/s1600/LC.26.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4jMPDBQEr4/UfOVZv0PeSI/AAAAAAAAA3s/AuOmpe_vrIw/s320/LC.26.36.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
For lunch we had breakfast food at the Pancake Pantry. We were lucky to have come at a time where there are line so we were seated quickly. I ordered a steak and egg but they mixed it up and I got bacon, eggs, and pancakes instead. I didn't mind because the pancakes turn out to be really delicious. I could never in my life make such a thick and fluffy pancake. After we had our fill of food, we planned where we wanted to go from there.<br />
<br />
Since we still had some time left Mr. Mannix took us to downtown Nashville to walk around. I was a little sleepy for some reason but I was happy. The last time we came with our proctor I didn't get to see much and was really disappointed. This time I got to slow down a bit more and look around. We went into this shop that had a lot of vinyl records. I wasn't really interested in vinyls but also because of the no air condition state that the shop was in. Then we went to this really cool poster shop where everything is hand made. The store had two cats in it that reminded me if my dogs. I miss them so much and I couldn't wait to see them. I played with the cats and looked around but none of the poster really interested me. I don't really have any more wall space in my room for poster anyway so it would have been useless.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FDoX6qYXUko/UfOVpFqfO1I/AAAAAAAAA38/A55E20h649Q/s1600/LC.26.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FDoX6qYXUko/UfOVpFqfO1I/AAAAAAAAA38/A55E20h649Q/s320/LC.26.13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally we arrived at the airport and check in our baggages. I was so relieved that my suitcase made it through. The security area that we went through had a really nice TSA officer that was ushering people through the full body scanner. She called everyone by an endearment and she had a nice smile on her face. I thought that there should be more people like her because she make things seem less intimidating. People in the south really are much nicer than elsewhere.<br />
<br />
After a very emotional day of happy " Yay! I'm going home" and sad "I'm never going to see them again" thoughts, I was worn out. I was in and out of consciousness throughout the long flight but I made sure to stay awake for the landing because I wanted to see LA. From above the view was captivatingly beautiful! With all the light around the city. It felt and looked like I was staring into an ocean of stars. Our plane landed and we went to wait for our connecting flight. Unfortunately the Vandy team encountered another flight delay but thankfully this one was only by one hour.<br />
<br />
The flight from LAX to Oakland was really short and I felt like it was only about half an hour long when it has actually been one whole hour. My parents were already there along with the others' parents. Standing there waiting for the luggages to come out, I shivered from the cold for the first time in four weeks and it felt good. As I walked through the doors I was hit by a nice cool breeze and I knew there and then that I was happy to be home.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11262628616351574581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-72767562228175649752013-07-27T02:56:00.004-07:002013-07-29T23:49:22.512-07:00Ready, Set, Don't Go<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4f-WijcdS-I/UfOWUdtwZpI/AAAAAAAAAm4/A6xPq2I6WTA/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4f-WijcdS-I/UfOWUdtwZpI/AAAAAAAAAm4/A6xPq2I6WTA/s1600/photo+%252811%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meghan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As soon as I woke up, I found out that Natalie from my proctor group was long gone. Without stopping by my room, she boarded the airport shuttle for Minnesota. I couldn't believe that I missed the chance of seeing her off. And I would have missed Joeē's departure if it wasn't for my sprint down the stairs to the lobby. This was it, we were all leaving the Hank Ingram House for our other respective homes. That's probably why I didn't care for breakfast. My feelings suppressed my appetite for our last meal at the Commons. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After having breakfast and exchanging autographs with everyone, Carolyn and I set our eyes for the foosball table. For the past couple weeks, we've played foosball after almost every meal. So naturally, we were inclined to play one last time. But as soon as we placed our hands on the table, we were told to go back to the dorms. With Carolyn and I on one side, and Nick on the other, we played for one match point. After winning, we headed back to Hank. You might think it's bizarre, but I've had some of my fondest memories and met some of my closest friends through the foosball tables at the Commons. I couldn't leave things undone</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L93CuvkS3vY/UfOKaGTi6kI/AAAAAAAAAl8/lr0DQiaLPZo/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L93CuvkS3vY/UfOKaGTi6kI/AAAAAAAAAl8/lr0DQiaLPZo/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last look of my dorm room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNO1MMZGknk/UfOWW7X5SKI/AAAAAAAAAnA/IOA-WbmTU-0/s1600/photo+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNO1MMZGknk/UfOWW7X5SKI/AAAAAAAAAnA/IOA-WbmTU-0/s1600/photo+%252812%2529.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaila's last announcement.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Packing the last of my things, my dorm room looked just as empty as I arrived. I may have been all packed, but I wasn't ready to go. Since check out was from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM, everyone left at different times. I was relieved knowing Mr. Mannix would come for us by 10:30 PM. I wouldn't want to be in the eye of the storm for that long. I wasn't prepared to cry while still at VSA. But once Carolyn prompted to leave, I couldn't help myself. Like one of the proctors said, Session III has the most emotional check out moments of all three sessions. With three weeks at VSA, everyone has developed close knit friendships. After spending as much time as I have with Carolyn, my tears couldn't be controlled for at least 10 minutes. I was an emotional wreck. Seeing people off has never been my strong suit. I felt like I was a little kid leaving Disneyland for the first time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwFzqd9xXxY/UfOOry3Y2rI/AAAAAAAAAmM/kD6PRL_TSfc/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwFzqd9xXxY/UfOOry3Y2rI/AAAAAAAAAmM/kD6PRL_TSfc/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last look of the Hank Ingram House.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After seeing several of my friends off, it was finally time for my cohort and I to leave. Although I didn't want to leave, I couldn't handle the gloomy atmosphere. </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While some VSAers live relatively close to each other, I don't have the same opportunity. Keeping an optimistic mindset, I plan on staying in touch with my VSA family.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEYkRKMYAEE/UfOTXwTcatI/AAAAAAAAAmc/1gubjei4Shc/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEYkRKMYAEE/UfOTXwTcatI/AAAAAAAAAmc/1gubjei4Shc/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" height="320" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Athena.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leaving Vanderbilt's campus, our cohort headed for downtown Nashville. Although we did visit as one of our proctor activities, I didn't actually get to stop and smell the flowers you could say. Walking through the pedestrian bridge and a couple shops, Mr. Mannix educated us on our surroundings. I had no idea the massive flood in the river was only three years ago. Seeing downtown Nashville in its current state, you would have never noticed. Just like Washington D.C., I've appreciated Nashville's natural and modern beauty, with its mix of modern and not so modern architecture. They each have a certain charm about themselves, and I've been fortunate enough to exposed to both. One of my favorite Nashville sites was the Parthenon. It's slightly odd to think of Nashville having the Parthenon. Still, it was beautiful on the inside and outside. Given our later departure, it was great to see a couple more sites and use our time with purpose.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rnIqT-M-vM/UfOWRKOPH-I/AAAAAAAAAmw/hJZQTLxU780/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7rnIqT-M-vM/UfOWRKOPH-I/AAAAAAAAAmw/hJZQTLxU780/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Parthenon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leaving Nashville, a ton of emotions were going through me. While I'll miss the people I've encountered at VSA, it's time for me to head back to the Bay Area. I wasn't very ecstatic to leave, but it was inevitable. Good things must come to an end somehow in order for other things to come along. </span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Flying Southwest, I noticed how compact it is compared to Virgin America. With less elbow and leg room, I wasn't very comfortable sitting between Keli'i and Loan. Luckily for me, connecting from LAX to the Oakland Airport, there was an empty seat between Mr. Mannix and I. Although there was a slight delay connecting, it was nothing compared to our flight woes in D.C. There were no major flight problems today, thankfully.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Before I knew it, the plane landed at the Oakland Airport within an hour. It was nice to come back to my family after being away for three and a half weeks. But while I was walking out of the airport, I unintentionally cried again. When asked by my mom, I shrugged it off. I couldn't wrap my head around it either. It may have been because of the train letters my proctor group wrote to me and being back in California. Somehow, all of us wrote a letter to each person of our proctor group. Since it's a train letter, it's meant to be read while heading home. Even before I started reading their letters I was already sobbing. I'll truly miss each of Kaila's Sailahs. </span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm sure bittersweet feelings arise to the best of people after coming back home from an </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adventure. This journey in particular has struck me hard. But after a nice cool shower without flip flops and settling inside my own room, I'm doing best to cope with my torn feelings. </span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15987415799173146146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-31855678677892267552013-07-27T01:43:00.002-07:002013-07-27T01:43:13.782-07:00Stronger Than I Thought<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today began as a job, I just wanted to get in and get out. I woke up this morning and ate breakfast for the last time as I said bye to some of my friends on the kitchen staff. Once we went our separate ways I was still fine at that point. I sat down and ate breakfast with friends and classmates as we clowned around for the last time. So far so good with my day, after breakfast everyone finished packing and began to leave. Once I seen everyone crying and sheding tears I felt my eyes watering up. I tried my hardest not to let go of any tears the whole day as I said by to classmates, and it was successful for the most part except for the incident 30 minutes before Mr. Mannix showed up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In this incident my new found brothers were balling in tears as they not only said bye to people, but as they also said bye to VSA seeing that they were seniors and this was their last year in the program after five years. This wasn't usual for them seeing that they were the life of the party and that they always carried a smile on their faces. I think what put this moment over the edge was the music that was playing in my headphones as I watched the breakdown process happen on them not too long before it happened on me. This wasn't the incident that caused my breakdown, but it was the incident to shed the first two tears.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My complete breakdown came when Mr. Mannix arrived to take us away. He came checked us out and I was fine, until I reached the front . In the front seven of my classmates caught me and said bye to me as we all hugged it out and joked about me being form the Bi-U from the last time. In this last time Jorge the funniest person I ever met and the inventor of my name got up, and squeezed me as he cried being one of my new found brothers. In that moment I broke down in tears as I felt the bond between the rest of my class and I. This was crazy because the night before I had no idea the bond between my classmates and I was that strong, I didn't even think I was gonna cry, but I was completely wrong. As I walked to the car they shouted out last minute gator jokes that made me laugh, but made the breakdown ten times worse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once I hit the backseat of the car I was speechless as I got in my deep thinking zone where I would just cry silently in the back. Until we got to the bookstore and got our Vanderbilt gear. We each got jackets on the ILC's tab (Thank you,) then took pictures infront of the Vanderbilt sign. At this point there were no more tears to be shead, so I returned to myself, but a reduced version. When I say reduced, I mean I was still myself but I felt like some spark was missing that I probably won't get back until tomorrow afternoon. After the bookstore we decided to go to famous pancake place. This place had the best pancakes ever as they were just sweet enough and had the perfect amount of vanilla. Then the Georgia peach sauce complimented the pancakes so well with the real peaches. The wierd thing about the pancakes is that they were served room temperature, and they were delicious. After the pancakes we decided to walk the bridge leading to the Tennessee Titans football stadium, we felt we needed a little excercise. We only went half way, but we did stare at the flowing river for a while. After this calming walk we ventured into some of Tennessee's record stores and poster shops.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In one poster shop we came across a mean kitty. Well we don't know if he was actually mean or if he was just mad he was awakin with a poke to the neck by Loan. What made Loan poke the cat was the fact it was laying in the record box not moving at all, so she thought it was fake. The cat went on a rampage scrathing and giving anybody who attempted to pet him dirty looks. The other white cat was soaking up love will the other orange cat was being a sour puss. After our quick exploring we went to the airport where there was not one delay, until we got to L.A. and had to wait two hours for our Oakland flight that was delayed. Once we got home my mom was waiting for me at the bottom of the escalator. She almost cried as we hugged. After I got home I fell asleep in the comfort of my own bed.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10166752555522361583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-66277929645294127282013-07-26T22:28:00.001-07:002013-07-26T22:28:17.371-07:00The Journey Home
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I woke up at 6:45 for what I thought would be my last
3-mile run of VSA. When I got down to the lobby, it was very crowded, with
people leaving for an early flight to Houston, Texas. Perry (the 3-mile run
proctor) was nowhere to be found. I waited about 10 minutes, and then headed
over to the Commons Gym. My last 3-mile run turned into my last exercise bike ride.
After the workout, I took my last VSA shower and went to my last VSA breakfast
at 8. At breakfast I had various people (students and proctors) sign my VSA
yearbook. This was a very teary time for a lot of people. Although I did not
cry, I was still sad that VSA was truly over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLdzsbiE2pE/UfNXsDukSKI/AAAAAAAAATo/658mOnRYW9M/s1600/100_4560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLdzsbiE2pE/UfNXsDukSKI/AAAAAAAAATo/658mOnRYW9M/s320/100_4560.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my roommate Michael</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Around 9, I headed back to Hank to finish packing. I was
fully packed by 9:30, but I still had an hour before Mr. Mannix would show up.
Right around the time I finished packing, my roommate’s parents showed up to
take him home. They could not carry everything at once to their car, so I
carried a bag for them. I had a very nice conversation with his parents. They asked
how Michael was a roommate, but they mainly wanted to know about how I found
VSA, and where I want to go to college. I told them all about the ILC, and that
I want to go to Vanderbilt to study music and engineering. They wished me the best
of luck with the remainder of high school and college. After they loaded the
car, Michael and I took a picture together. He said one last goodbye to his
friends, and was off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0nKIIQONf8/UfNZLEM_wRI/AAAAAAAAAUE/RDO5Z-i2G7g/s1600/100_4564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0nKIIQONf8/UfNZLEM_wRI/AAAAAAAAAUE/RDO5Z-i2G7g/s320/100_4564.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My empty room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By the time he left, it was 10:00. I ended up hanging out
with the 3<sup>rd</sup> floor proctors until my time came. I had them all sign
my book (if they had not already), and we talked about our favorite parts of VSA. Around 10:25 I said my
goodbyes to the proctors. I almost cried when I said goodbye to Hugh. If I had
spent another 15 seconds on the goodbye, I would have cried. Just thinking
about while writing this makes me sad. Hugh made my non-academic experience 10
times better than it would have been without him. He was always friendly, tried
to accommodate my requests, and would periodically check in with me to se how I
was doing. I still remember the first thing he sad to me, “Welcome to VSA.
You’re going to have a great time here. My job is to make your experience the
best possible. Let me know if there is anything I can do.” These little things
really make a big difference, because it shows that he truly cares. Without
these things, my goodbye would have been almost entirely unemotional.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYVjq5IdBf4/UfNYsDvNTnI/AAAAAAAAAT0/usriHIFnGVs/s1600/100_4563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sYVjq5IdBf4/UfNYsDvNTnI/AAAAAAAAAT0/usriHIFnGVs/s320/100_4563.JPG" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of us put our name tags on Hugh's door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After saying goodbye to Hugh and the other proctors, I
grabbed my bags and headed out. It was really depressing to see my empty dorm
room. By 10:30 we were all down in the lobby. Mr. Mannix showed up, and we
checked out (collect medicines, look through lost and found, and turn in room
key and meal card. After that, we said our last teary goodbyes to the students
in the lobby. By 11:00 we were on the road. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our first stop was the Vanderbilt Bookstore. As you may have
guessed, we bought Vanderbilt gear: hoodies, T-shirts, hats, bears, etc. The
ILC was kind enough to pay for out hoodies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After our trip to the bookstore, we visited the admission
office, to see about attending the 1:00 PM info session. The website said the
session was full, but we went by to see if they could squeeze us in. They said
no. There was already a long wait list for the info session. They told us that we
could attend the 2 PM tour if we wanted to. We decided against the tour, as our three weeks at VSA have been a huge tour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLXCvvL-Eck/UfNV3lrYUuI/AAAAAAAAATA/izdfPAuPG0g/s1600/100_4590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLXCvvL-Eck/UfNV3lrYUuI/AAAAAAAAATA/izdfPAuPG0g/s320/100_4590.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Athena Statue is so god-like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Our next stop was the Nashville Parthenon. I had no idea
just how huge the building is. The only pictures I have seen are from the front,
but the sides are three times as long. Inside the Parthenon is just amazing.
Seeing the exhibits was cool, but the best part was the enormous statue of
Athena, which was dressed in gold. (It probably was not real gold, but it was
gold in color.) The size of the statue really made Athena seem like a god,
towering over us minuscule, worthless mortals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After visiting the Parthenon, we ate lunch at Pancake Pantry.
Surprisingly, there was no line. We walked in, and were seated immediately. As
soon as I saw the menu, I had no idea what to get. They had 23 varieties of
pancakes, and they all sounded so good. I ended up going with the Blueberry
Pancakes. I know I could have gone with something more obscure, like pancakes
infused with potatoes, but I figured they would probably have the best
blueberry pancakes of any restaurant, as pancakes are their specialty. I was
correct: They were the best blueberry pancakes ever. The pancakes had just the
right texture: not to stiff, and not to soft. The blueberries were evenly distributed.
(I have had blueberry pancakes where one pancake has 30 more blueberries than the
other.) Also, the blueberry compote was a nice touch. That way you could drown
your blueberry pancakes with blueberry sauce, instead of maple syrup. (I’m not
a big fan of maple syrup, so this was perfect for me.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWDZVbmsK3U/UfNV3yqWlQI/AAAAAAAAATc/JyMeMoRjOcM/s1600/100_4619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWDZVbmsK3U/UfNV3yqWlQI/AAAAAAAAATc/JyMeMoRjOcM/s640/100_4619.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberry Pancakes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbiLKNOge3Q/UfNV3h14WvI/AAAAAAAAATM/kAqwQwqHWtI/s1600/100_4635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbiLKNOge3Q/UfNV3h14WvI/AAAAAAAAATM/kAqwQwqHWtI/s320/100_4635.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The AT&T "Batman Building"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After eating at Pancake Pantry, we decided to visit Downtown
Nashville. Although we had already been downtown during VSA, it was still very
enjoyable because we visited different places. We started by getting on the pedestrian
bridge over the river. From here, we got an excellent view of the city. We
could really see the mixture of new buildings (like the “Batman Building”) and
the older, brick buildings. Mr. Mannix told us that Nashville is in the process
of becoming a large city. Many of the old brick buildings are being torn down
so new ones can be built. Mr. Mannix believes that in 10 years, Nashville will
be like LA: a huge, crowded city. After seeing more of Nashville, I agree.
There is construction everywhere, and it’s a beautiful city. Both of these
translate to more people moving there. Also, Nashville is the Music City. This
draws a lot of musicians and audiences to the city. During our walk downtown,
we visited a record store, and a handmade music poster store. The poster store
was very interesting. The whole back three quarters was workspace, with a huge
press and lots of shelves. The front quarter had posters on display, as well as
two cats sleeping. One was behind a box of posters, and the other was sleeping
underneath a tent sign. I would never have guessed that a handmade poster store
would have cats, as I would be worried about the cats getting into the back
section of the store and causing problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After visiting downtown, we headed to the airport. Once we
arrived, Mr. Mannix turned in the rental van. We then checked our bags, and
went through security. Once we were through, we had an hour and half before our
plane would leave at 6:50 PM. We were all tired, so we mainly just sat there.
Some of us fell asleep, but I did not. I decided I would sleep on the airplane
instead. At around 6:20, we got dinner at Quiznos. We did not have quite enough
time to eat it before boarding, so we ate it on the plane instead.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--w_zMBe4yA0/UfNV4VzTn0I/AAAAAAAAATU/tKGMaTId_Uw/s1600/boeing_737-800_southwest_airlines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--w_zMBe4yA0/UfNV4VzTn0I/AAAAAAAAATU/tKGMaTId_Uw/s640/boeing_737-800_southwest_airlines.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading to LAX!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The plane ride took four hours, so we arrived in LAX at 9:10. Unfortunately, our connecting flight to Oakland was delayed. It was supposed to leave at 10 PM, but it was delayed until 11:00 PM, putting us back at Oakland at 12:05 AM. It's good to be home!</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879196077447679026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-20532077627713544802013-07-26T01:20:00.001-07:002013-07-26T01:22:07.749-07:00We Won't Stop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAWqv7Kjn6Q/UfIXB2FhisI/AAAAAAAAAk4/VI9k39RfsZo/s1600/P1040127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAWqv7Kjn6Q/UfIXB2FhisI/AAAAAAAAAk4/VI9k39RfsZo/s1600/P1040127.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGN-kbX9v3g/UfIXC6kUhYI/AAAAAAAAAk8/jU-YXOYt6IU/s1600/P1040129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGN-kbX9v3g/UfIXC6kUhYI/AAAAAAAAAk8/jU-YXOYt6IU/s1600/P1040129.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After months of preparation and a couple weeks of traveling, I never thought I'd see my last day of Vanderbilt Summer Academy. After getting used to the Commons, I had one of my last breakfast meals today. It signalled the start of a bittersweet reaction chain going on today. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Since I've already taken the VUMC tour, and went to both the clinic and the OR, I watched an HBO film called Wit. Starring Emma Thompson, she plays Professor Vivian Bearing of English Literature who is suddenly diagnosed with metastatic Stage IV ovarian cancer. Instead of having caring doctors, she's treated as an experiment and nothing more. And the only person who seems to care about her general well being is her nurse, Susie Monahan. Over time, Vivian realizes that being an intellectual is nothing compared to human compassion and soon dies after. Instead of portraying doctors as the hero, they soon became heartless human beings who had little emotion for the severity of their patient's sickness. While doing anything possible to save a person's life, doctors in the film forgot to care about the effects its treatments places on their patients. As Jake stressed, it's important to build a real relationship with patients. If doctors never mixed business with pleasure, then they'd be like the doctors in the film. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After having our last lunch at the Commons, all of us created another concept map on obesity. This time, we did our best to put what we learned during these past couple weeks onto a piece of paper within ten minutes. Since our first map on the first day, we did a whole lot better. I've learned an excess amount of knowledge during our VSA stay under Jon, Jake, and Mary and our lovely guest speakers. If I didn't know anything about obesity since then, that would have been a real shame. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax8sZ-WM5hg/UfIpHtO2kWI/AAAAAAAAAlU/KbwcYe8ZP6U/s1600/P1040131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ax8sZ-WM5hg/UfIpHtO2kWI/AAAAAAAAAlU/KbwcYe8ZP6U/s1600/P1040131.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">During the last few hours of class, we all reflected on the last couple weeks. With everyone going to their respective small group instructors, each of us got individual feedback on our overall performance. In this case, I spoke with Jon. This was the moment that hit me the most. I couldn't believe that it was already time to look back at what we did when we started class not too long ago. While they gave us individual feedback, we were also given VSA student surveys, and an additional sheet for Jon. Since he'll be taking a gap year of medical school for a degree in education as well, he asked us to critique his performance as an instructor. And without having been trained to teach kids, he's already done a phenomenal job of teaching us. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Heading to the Wyatt Rotunda, things became even more real. Since the first day, all of VSA was given a mission of acting on the three Cs: Challenge, Choice, and Community. For the duration of our stay, I'd say we acted on each of them. Not only have we challenged ourselves and make good choices in the process, but VSA session three has become a real community within three weeks. I can't imagine making bonds like these under these kind of time constraints. And for several of the individuals who were front and center for being fourth or fifth years, I can't imagine what was going through their heads. As a first/last time student of VSA, I was already feeling saddened by the idea of parting ways with such incredible people. I can't stand the idea of actually leaving and being back in California by tomorrow evening. By the end of our closing ceremonies, some Med School 101 students gathered to take a group picture with Jon, Jake, Mary, and Vivian. Since Jake left earlier before heading off to the closing ceremonies, none of us were able to say our goodbyes. Surprisingly enough, we all saw each other again while exiting the building. This should be a good indicator of whether or not we'll all keep in touch. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdzBlKjyLD8/UfIo6iKlKNI/AAAAAAAAAlM/CZWSA6isKvk/s1600/P1040138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdzBlKjyLD8/UfIo6iKlKNI/AAAAAAAAAlM/CZWSA6isKvk/s1600/P1040138.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Med School 101!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fully packed and
unprepared to go, I got ready for the decades themed dance. I decided to play
it simple and still wear my tie dye shirt from the last dance. And I wasn't the
only one who did the same. There were several 70s/80s friends in my proctor
group, so I wasn't alone! Excited for the dance, we all reconvened at the Wyatt
Rotunda one last time. This definitely reached the peak of the bittersweet
moment chain. The energy was still in the air from our last dance, and so we
danced the whole night away. Revealing the house cup, S-House ended up not
winning. But with a 10 point difference between first and second place, we
deserved to win anyway. I can't even believe recovering since our first week. I
thought we reached the point of no return until trivia night. Even then, I
didn't think we had high chances of taking first place away from A-House. But
we kept going and managed to make our way from rock bottom to close to the top
of the ranks. I'll always love my S-House Space Jammers though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wo-Kj6E4AjA/UfIq9oPLckI/AAAAAAAAAlw/TjIAwoy68aI/s1600/P1040158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wo-Kj6E4AjA/UfIq9oPLckI/AAAAAAAAAlw/TjIAwoy68aI/s1600/P1040158.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today reminded me a lot of the last day of school at a regular school. The difference however, is the fact that some of us may never return to VSA or wait another year. As patient as I am, I wouldn't be able to control myself for another year. And since I'm a rising senior, VSA won't be an option anymore. Although this may be my last day, it won't be the last of my encounters with these people. I won't let that happen. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15987415799173146146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-68733713930777313852013-07-26T00:54:00.008-07:002013-07-26T00:54:58.129-07:00In The End<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was so excited to start my day. It's finally my turn to see the operating rooms! Scrubs are so awesome to wear though they are a bit big for me. I had to pull the pant part all the way past my belly button so I don't step on it. We all made it to class on time and went with Jon to the post-operation area. It's an area where newly operated patients go to recover from their anesthesia. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We meet up with Dr. James Blair who is an anesthesiologist. With me was Emily and Precious so we had to wait for two more doctors to show up. Dr. Blair decided that I should go with him because of my interest in internal medicine. So Dr. Blair is a 66 year old man who started medical school when he was 33, he recommends that I don't do that. Usually Dr. Blair is involved in neurosurgery but today was a weird Thursday. He started off telling me about the OR. So the area we were in had 35 operating rooms and it is part of the heart of the hospital. In addition to that there are about 15 more OR all around the hospital for various specialties. In most hospitals the OR is the theoretical center but since the Vanderbilt Hospital is so large and it has so many specialized centers this OR is only part of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first patient we saw was a lady who had a hardware removed from her foot and was recovering. She wasn't reacting too well to the post-anesthetic effects so Dr. Blair gave her some medicines. Even though it has only been five minutes, the experience was amazing. See how the doctor and the nurse list the names of drugs and how much to prescribe was pretty cool. He how the patient was feeling and immediately gave her something that would make her better. Then our next stop was with a man whose thumb has been crushed by a truck. He asks the guy some question about his medical history and how he was feeling. The way he talked to the patient was so light and it lifts the heavy mood in the room. The doctor ease into questions so that the patient could tell him about himself and Dr. Blair would still get the info he needs. Then Dr. Blair's residence came in to do a pre - op exam on the patient and assess how he would handle things. While that was going on we went to an OR that was operating on another one of Dr. Blair's patient. As we walked toward the room we were stopped several times by surgeons asking Dr. Blair to get me a cap for my hair. Everyone was wearing one and it was required for going into an OR. By the time we got to the OR they were almost finished with closing the patient up. For a brief moment I got to see a surgeon sewing up the incision, I was amazed. He worked with such precision and it seemed like the instruments were a part of him. But then again after 6-8 years of residency, he has probably gotten plenty of practice. Another thing that I noticed was that the OR was so bright and cheery. They were playing rap music really loudly when we walked in. As we walked around to check on his patients, Dr. Blair told me about Ignaz Semmelweis who is the father of antiseptic. He discovered that patient would not get infected if the doctors washed their hands after each patient. At VH, there is a foam dispenser every five feet, literally. Every time we went into a room we from, if we went out we foam, and if we touched something, we foam. I think I have used more sanitizer in the span of three hours than I would have in a month. I got to watch a full operation preparation process of a man who needed his C3-C8 of his spine fixed. So they knock him out with a cocktail of drugs before propping him into place. They also incubated his throat and hook him up to a ventilator. I also saw that they used tape like there is no tomorrow to secure his shoulder, tape things down, and various other things. Unfortunately we had to leave before I got to see them cut him open (I say that in the nicest way possible). For our last stop we head on over to the guy with the crushed thumb. The surgeon was taking a live x-ray of it and I saw so many fractures. He also said that they were so closed to amputate it. While Dr. Blair talked to another doctor in the room about the drugs they were giving the patient, I just watched as the surgeon pick at the patient's thumb. It has to be one of the coolest things that I have ever seen. No, it is the coolest thing that I have EVER seen. Unfortunately that also didn't last for too long before we had to leave. While we were walking around the OR we saw a live video of an aortic graphing. Again the surgeon's suture were so identical and beautifully spaced. I stood on my toes to look into the OR room where the surgery was happening. Dr. Blair explained to me what was happening. So since they had to clamp the patient's aorta shut they had to hook him up to a bypass machine to keep his blood flowing. Sadly, before I knew it Jon had come to pick us up. Being given a chance to explore the OR today definitely opened up my interest to maybe do something that involves the OR. This shadowing definitely motivated me to not only look for more shadowing for myself but also for my fellow classmates who are interested. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our afternoon 'class' wasn't really a class because we spend most of it giving feedback. When we started the class Mary had asked us to make a concept map for obesity with what we knew. This time she asked us to do the same to see if we have truly learned and gained from the class. Before we went outside Jon, Mary and Jake went up to give us superlatives. I was given " Most likely to make your day" and I felt so special. One person received " Most likely to turn her patient into alcoholic" because she recommended that her patient (during CELA) drink some wine. Jon then gave us a very touching speech on how we all went beyond what he expected and how much we inspired him. After that we all went outside to do the feedbacks. Our group leader asked each one of us to individually go up and talked to them. When it was my turn to go talk to Jake I went up. I told him that the <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="85fcdefe-819d-41d5-a1de-f939cd9fddb4" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="f2ff9b59-e704-4eb4-9ec0-a6c019c4a9c2" grcontextid="Med:0">Med</span> School 101 class that they created is just amazing. I wouldn't change it for the world. Jake asked me if I liked the class because I was really quiet throughout the course and I looked bored. I told him that it was just the expression I make when my mind is blown and I'm speechless. I loved the class with all my heart and I even asked Jake if I could take what I learned and share it with my school's Health Academy. He said that it was totally cool. He also told me that I was a very good student.<br />
<br />
After class we had a closing ceremony where we cheered and recognize all the people that made the program possible. At the end we gave our instructors hugs and said our last goodbyes. They truly have been some of the best teachers that I have ever had. I wished them luck with their plans for the future and I know they will excel in the medical field. Thank you so much #BestInstructorJake, #HailMary, and #PapaJon.<br />
<br />
Our day ends with a Decade Dance where you choose a decade to dress up in. As usual the dance was amazing and I had fun taking silly picture with my friends. The night ended in tears for some girls as it <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="6b4a532f-de5f-496a-85fb-343e0ad70ff0" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="eac5f731-fd15-4196-8798-91ea5dc16475" grcontextid="is:0">is</span> our last night together. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11262628616351574581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-29054035517195447322013-07-25T23:23:00.000-07:002013-07-25T23:23:08.748-07:00For Every Beginning There is an Ending<div style="text-align: justify;">
My last full day of VSA started at 7:45 AM. I went to breakfast at 8. For the final time, class started at 9, with another Puzzler: You and a friend are playing a card game. There are 21 cards in the deck (it does not matter what cards.) We alternate taking 1, 2, or 3 cards per turn. The person who takes the last card(s) wins. In each turn you must draw at least 1 card. (You cannot pass.) Is there a strategy to win? What is it? For the second to last time, STOP reading if you want to solve it yourself. (Wait... There's another Puzzler? Keep reading to find out...)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dawson had us solve this Puzzler by playing the game. He had us get into pairs, gave us 21 cards, and had us play the game for a little while. We soon figured out that if there is 1, 2, or 3 cards left, and it's your turn, you win. If there are 4 cards left, you loose. If there are 5, 6, or 7 cards left, you win. If there are 8 cards left, you loose. If you continue this, you find that if the number of remaining cards is a multiple of 4, you lose. This occurs no matter how many cards you take, your opponent can stick you with a multiple of 4 again, until you get 4 left and lose. (If you take 1, he takes 3. If you take 2, he takes 2, and if you take 3, he takes 1.) After we figured out the strategy, we had beat Dawson. It took me multiple attempts, because the first time he went first and took one card. This left me with 20, and a loss already. After I finally beat him, he had me come up with a strategy to win if there were 21 cards, and you could only take 1 or 2 cards per turn. In this game, you want it to get down to a multiple of 3 (because 1 + 2 = 3). This means the best strategy is to not go first. Since 21 is a multiple of three, it does not matter whether the first person pick 1 or 2, the second person can match it and stick the first person with another multiple of three until the end.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKk0yCkZpZw/UfHxqdTiOdI/AAAAAAAAARg/ZbRGLZacbAU/s1600/imga+beautiful+mind2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKk0yCkZpZw/UfHxqdTiOdI/AAAAAAAAARg/ZbRGLZacbAU/s320/imga+beautiful+mind2.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After spending 30 minutes on the Puzzler, we watched <i>A Beautiful Mind</i>. As I said yesterday, the movie is about John Nash, the mathematician that came up with the Nash Equilibrium. The movie starts in his college years at Princeton. He does not attend class, because he wants to create an original contribution to mathematics. He spends almost all of his time working, so his roommate (Charles) tries to get him to get out and go to bars and such. He is very socially awkward. Every time he tries to pick up a girl, it fails miserably. On one of the bar trips, Nash comes up with the Equilibrium. 5 girls walk in the bar, one (a blonde) is much prettier than the rest. Nash's four friends believe they should all go after the blonde, because according to Smith's philosophy, what's best for the group comes from everyone doing what's best for himself. Nash proves this wrong: If they all go for the blonde, they will get in each other's way, and no one will get her. Then if they go after her friends, they will feel second rate, and leave. If no one goes for the blonde, and they each go for one of her friends, everyone gets a girl.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nash writes his paper on the Equilibrium, and publishes it. He gets a job at Princeton's Wheeler Laboratories. As part of his job, he must teach a Calculus class. One of his students falls in love with him. Soon after, the government hires him to break codes the Russians are sending. He is extremely good at this, and is able to find the coordinates of an atomic bomb from the millions of numbers in the message. The military then has him crack more codes. This time, the Russians are communicating through periodicals (TIME, Newsweek, etc.) This mission is classified, so he cannot tell his girlfriend, who eventually becomes his wife. When turning in one set of his newspaper findings, he and his agent Parcher get caught in a Russian shoot out. From this point onward, Nash is constantly paranoid that the Russians are after him. Eventually, Nash is taken to a psychiatric facility. He thinks the doctor is a Russian interrogator, so he tries to attack him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The doctor diagnoses him with schizophrenia. Parcher and Charles (his roommate) are not real, just images in his head. He is given insulin shock therapy to help cure him. Once he is released, he has to take medicine to keep the illusions away. He does not like the side effects, and stops taking the medicine. When giving the baby a bath, he thinks Charles it watching, so he leaves the room, almost drowning the baby. He also attacks his wife when he thinks Parcher is lounging at her. After this, he realizes that Parcher and Charles are just his imagination. He decides not to take the medicine, but to ignore them instead. He goes back to Princeton and asks his college rival Martin (now Head of the Mathematics Department) for a position researching and auditing classes. After years of doing this and ignoring Charles and Parcher, Nash gets a teaching position at Princeton. In 1994, he wins the Nobel Prize in Economics for his Equilibrium. I really enjoyed this movie. It was highly related to math, but did not make you think a whole lot about it. It was more focused on how sad is was the such a brilliant man had schizophrenia. I found out afterwards that this movie won four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role. I highly recommend watching the movie, even if you are not into math like me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the movie ended, Dawson handed out his comments on our lessons. He also recognized each person for something different. The awards included Best Lessons (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), Best Lesson Plan, Best Dressed, Best Mission, Best Explanation, etc. I won the Best Explanation award for helping a student with her mixture problem during my lesson. She had no idea where to start, so I walked her though the whole thing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During lunch, I read Dawson's comments. Overall, he like my lesson. The first 25 minutes were good, but the last 20 when I handed out the worksheet failed miserably. His main suggestion was to do easier problems, which I completely agree with. I assumed too much when I made that worksheet.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKnqvq8SQ6k/UfH1bifM3JI/AAAAAAAAARw/MLZbueRspqo/s1600/100_4537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pKnqvq8SQ6k/UfH1bifM3JI/AAAAAAAAARw/MLZbueRspqo/s640/100_4537.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Last VSA Lunch: Fruit Salad, Chili, Pizza and a Breadstick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After lunch, we had our final puzzler: There are five pirates who steal exactly 100 gold coins. They go to a safe haven to distribute the gold among themselves. Being democratic pirates, they decide to vote on how to do so. Each pirate in turn submits a proposal for parceling out the booty. Immediately after the first proposal, they vote. If the proposal wins a majority of votes (more than half), they distribute the gold according to the proposal. If the proposal does not get a majority, they kill the pirate for suggesting it and move on to the next pirate, who makes his proposal. The process continues until a proposal receives a majority of votes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You are the first pirate to make a proposal. What should you suggest to maximize your share and, of course, remain alive? You may only presume that a pirate will vote for a given proposal if it is definitively better than another proposal that he may receive. Each pirate knows his own and everyone else's position-first, second, third, etc. in order of giving proposals. The pirates are entirely logical and unemotional people. All they care about is maximizing their share while remaining alive. For the last time, STOP reading if you want to solve it yourself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since this is one of the hardest Puzzlers, Dawson had us work in the same groups as the Unknown Area Project. Initially, we assumed that the pirates would divide it evenly, so that the 2nd pirate offers everyone 25, the third offers 33, and the 4th offers 50 each. So the 1st pirate should offer the 2nd pirate 26, the 3rd pirate 34, and the rest to himself. Dawson told us that this offer would not win a majority of votes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We then worked backwards. If there is one pirate left, he gets all 100. If there are two left, the 4th pirate will settle for giving the 5th pirate everything, because without the 5th pirate's vote, the 4th pirate dies. If is better to be alive with no treasure than dead with no treasure. When it comes down to the 3rd pirate, the 3rd pirate gets 100, and the 4th gets his life. The 2nd person can buy the 4th's vote with 2 coins, and the 5th pirate's vote with 1 coin. This means the 1st pirate can get 97, and buy the 3rd and 5th's votes with 1 and 2 coins respectively. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once we solved the Puzzler, we each go to take 8 pieces of chocolate from Dawson's collection of 100 chocolate "coins." After we had all solved the Puzzler, Dawson briefly explained what would happen if you continued this problem with more and more pirates. There is a recurring pattern. The number of coins the first pirate gets decreases by 1 coin every 2 pirates added. Eventually, the first pirate gets nothing but his life, but there are certain numbers, like 201 pirates, in which the first pirate gets one coin, even though at 200, the first pirate gets nothing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uiy0a6hy-Oc/UfIHdHTcuoI/AAAAAAAAASA/v3j_WZLBcnY/s1600/100_4540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uiy0a6hy-Oc/UfIHdHTcuoI/AAAAAAAAASA/v3j_WZLBcnY/s640/100_4540.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My portion of the Pirate's Booty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAKP6-sAGus/UfIHsjUnR_I/AAAAAAAAASI/hmKyj2-gPEo/s1600/100_4547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAKP6-sAGus/UfIHsjUnR_I/AAAAAAAAASI/hmKyj2-gPEo/s320/100_4547.JPG" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawson and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the Puzzler, Dawson had us do another Concept Map about Math. (Just like we did on the first day of VSA.) Many of the students complained, so Dawson told us that the concept map is a VSA requirement. He did not create the assignment. After our 10 minutes to complete it, we filled out a survey about VSA, covering everything from class to your proctor to social time. I forgot the exact wording of my favorite survey question, but it basically asked if you are less socially awkward because of your experiences at VSA. I would never have guessed that there would be a question like this, but there was. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the end of class, we took another set of group photos: one with Dawson and the class, and one with Emily and the class. Afterwards, I got a picture with just Dawson. On the way out, Dawson had us put our name and phone number in a spreadsheet on his computer. He said he would email the list to all of us, so we can contact each other. He also mentioned that if we ever want a letter of recommendation, to just ask. He even went as far as to say he enjoys writing letters of recommendation. I will definitely be asking him for one in a year for my Vanderbilt application.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Immediately after class we headed to the Wyatt Rotunda for the closing ceremony. This consisted of various faculty members from the Program Coordinator to the Housemaster to the Proctors saying how much they enjoyed this 3 weeks, and how fast it flew by. At the end of the ceremony, they recognized the rising seniors that did VSA for 4 or 5 years. (You can participate in VSA for up to 6 years, from the beginning of middle school to the end of high school.) The 4 years veterans each got a Vanderbilt mug, and the 5 year veterans each got a t-shirt that said Vanderbilt on the front and VSA 5 on the back. The closing ceremony took an hour, so we had free time from 4-6.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During this time I began my packing. I'm only about halfway done, as there are a lot of things I cannot pack until tomorrow, like my be linens, by towels, and my dirty clothes. The last dinner of VSA was at 6 PM.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SstVRY0Rdj0/UfIJO_3l5CI/AAAAAAAAASY/aoVfoYzhX4w/s1600/100_4553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SstVRY0Rdj0/UfIJO_3l5CI/AAAAAAAAASY/aoVfoYzhX4w/s640/100_4553.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Last VSA Dinner: Salad, Mac and Cheese, Fried Eggplant with Pasta Sauce, Squash and a Brownie. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUCutx810MY/UfIK-nLsTrI/AAAAAAAAASw/AsEuHB28WTc/s1600/100_4555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUCutx810MY/UfIK-nLsTrI/AAAAAAAAASw/AsEuHB28WTc/s320/100_4555.JPG" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My proctor Hugh and I, dressed in suit and tie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After dinner we had an hour to prepare for the Decades dance from 8-10. I didn't know what to wear, so I ended up dressing in my suit and tie. It turned out my proctor, Hugh Schmidt, was dressed the same way. When we got to the dance, I took a picture with him. I did not enjoy this dance very much either, because again, I'm not a dancer. At the end of the dance, the Housemaster announced the winner of the House Cup. A-House won with 459 points, over S-House with 459, and V-House with 400. After the winning house was announced, all the A-House members started cheering "A-House," and Hugh (because Hugh is the head of A-House.) We then found our proctors and went back to Hank as a group.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once we arrived at Hank, we had free time until our final proctor meeting at 11 PM. Tomorrow breakfast is at 8, and that we have free time in Hanks from 9-12 (or until we leave.) Mr. Mannix is going to pick us up at 10:30. Hugh also handed out VSA "Yearbooks." (Just like a regular yearbook, with pictures of out classes and proctor groups.) I also found out that the running group will be running one last time tomorrow morning at 7. I guess I was wrong when I said Wednesday was the last run.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
VSA is officially over, and I'm sad to have to let it go. I really want to go back in time 3 weeks and do it all over again and again.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879196077447679026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-55300449547444991802013-07-25T23:19:00.004-07:002013-07-25T23:19:53.339-07:00This Can't Be Real<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As my last full day begins my class starts off the day with two different guest speaker sessions before lunch. One was with four engineering college students and the other was the Vanderbilt engineering admission officer. The speaking session with the students was funny as they all showed a lot of hatred; for med school students. They then explained the reason behind the hatred, by saying they are tired of having med students in their engineering class. They then went on to intimidate some of my classmates with their college test and exam stories. After their moment of intimidation they began to share their past college life experiences. One college student gave us advice, saying that we should never have the game system in your dorm room, always keep it in your friend's room. Keep the game in our friend's room so people won't be going in and out of your room throughout the night. All the students really gave us was information on the living situation, and besides that they asked us questions. After the students finished speaking to us, we had a brief break where the teacher explained some of the necessary things you have to do to become a certified licensed engineer. One of the craziest things I ever herd in my life was the fact that an engineer must take an eight hour test, and work five years under a professional engineer before getting your engineer license. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After this shocking moment the admission officer came in and talked to us. He began by basically saying some of the tests that wouldn't matter when applying to engineering such as the algebra version of physics test. The man said this test would instantly get you dropped from engineering. He also said that if you put engineering as your second choice on your application, then you will not be admitted. The man was very serious about his job as he made it clear that engineering must be your top priority. He then lightened up by saying it's very easy to transfer into engineering, and that you can change your engineering choice with no problem at all. This was the end of the man's presentation as he left, and we followed as we went to lunch together for the last time. Lunch was the same honestly didn't feel different at all. The one thing different about lunch is that the final assassin show down was horrible as both players spoons broke. Then the girl pulled out another one and repeatedly tried to stabber, which led to a not assassin like killing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now back in class the teacher instructed us to set up our posters in the other room so we could get ready for our poster gallery. Once set up and ready I think seven people came in a time span of three hours. Almost everyone looked at my poster and asked what the title "No Way Out" meant. Then I explained to them that the title was because there is no real way to beat a breathalyzer when intoxicated. I told them about all of our projects and procedures on the breathalyzer, and I even told them about the Myth-Buster episode. This slow presentation made up the last half of my class for the program. Once we were finished with class we packed all sixteen people in the elevator for the last time as we sang all the way back to the Rotunda for the closing part of VSA. Even with people looking at us as we pilled out of the elevator like rodeo clowns. Some people even seen us singing and joined in, most were grown men forty and up. This moment is really what hit me that we were leaving, that I had really done the Ivy League Connection program, and that I was actually in Tennessee with people I completely didn't know three weeks ago. Well that was just the first moment of realization, as we sat in a seminar watching a slide show of photos with sad music behind it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We then cheered for our proctors and the leaving seniors before going to dinner. At dinner I sat with my class for the last time as we laughed and joked before the dance at 8:00 PM. Once the dance began everyone let loose as we partied for the last time together. After the dance our house scores were released. First came the A-House with 490 points, second came my S-House down by ten points, and last came the V-House who lost by a hundred or so points. It wasn't until I sat in my dorm room and looked at my packed stuff that I realized the program had come to an end and was actually going back home. Tomorrow is the day I head back to California and I can't believe it. I honestly thought I would never actually make it to Tennessee, because I never pictured myself leaving California in the prior months to this trip. I just can't believe the trip happened and I'm coming home, and I owe the thanks all to the Ivy League Connection for this unreal opportunity. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10166752555522361583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-36178432094724827982013-07-25T00:21:00.001-07:002013-07-25T00:21:06.995-07:00Your Surroundings<div style="text-align: justify;">
The day started out with the usual drag-yourself-out-of-bed routine which resulted in me almost missing breakfast, again. Fast forwarding to class time...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The class started with a lecture by Dr. Brandon Williams, who is a general surgeon. He talked to us about Bariatric surgery, which is a type of surgery that he performed a lot. Bariatric surgery is basically weight loss surgery that alters the stomach to help patients maintain a healthy weight.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUmr5Ck1sV8/UfDCh-4KnBI/AAAAAAAAA3c/uMcnwXTB9pY/s1600/bariatric-surgeries1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUmr5Ck1sV8/UfDCh-4KnBI/AAAAAAAAA3c/uMcnwXTB9pY/s400/bariatric-surgeries1.jpg" width="400" /></a>There are three types of Bariatric surgery: The gastric band, which is an adjustable band placed around the top part of the stomach to limit the amount of food entering. There is also the Sleeve gastronomy, which is when part of the stomach is cut out so food goes through parts of the stomach then straight to the small intestine. This also helps control the patient's hunger because the part of the stomach that secrete most of the body's ghrelin, a hormone that is said to cause hunger, is removed. Last but not least there is the gastric bypass. This procedure rearranges the stomach so that the small intestine is directly connected to the upper stomach so technically you are not using your stomach at all. The stomach is left in the body to lower surgery risk and to reverse the procedure if there is a change of mind. The procedures are usually recommended for patients whose BMI is between 35-40. Dr. Williams said that this method is much more successful than just going on a diet and exercise plan. Patients who have had any of these procedures done to them not only looses weight but their diabetes is gone along with most of their other health problems. I thought that this method was really cool and helpful coming from Dr. Williams. I have always had negative thoughts again weight loss surgery but thanks to this lecture another ray of light has been shed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the lecture we had our team based learning class. This time the topic revolved around how neighborhood environment and socioeconomic status affects diabetes and obesity. The articles show that neighborhood environment moderately affects DM (Diabetes Mellitus) and obesity while the socioeconomic status affects DM and obesity more. People who live in 'poor' neighborhood can't afford healthy food or lifestyle so they are more susceptible to DM and OBS. Following the reading we had our readiness assessment test which we must take individually and then as a group. I'm sure I did pretty well on my iRAT but I'm not sure since we didn't get it back. On the gRAT however, we made Jake proud by scoring a 90% beating the other groups. Then we moved on to the application part of TBL. Our case was a 48 year old Hispanic woman with two children. Her health is bordering bad, her kids are overweight and she just lost her job. As a group we decided to have her checked her fasting blood sugar since it was indicated in her paper that they were a bit high. We recommended that she exercise and work out a healthy diet for her family. After the practical questions were over with, we had to face the ethical question. So our patient broke down crying about how bad of a mother she is for not taking better care of her children. I decided to give her the cold truth but then reassure her that I would help her get through it. I felt that it is better to get pass the problem and head straight for the solution then to deny the problem and get nowhere. Like if I tell you to not think of a pink elephant then what are you gonna do? It doesn't matter what I say you will think of the pink elephant so I might as well as not argue with you. By the way, thank you to Mr. Bodwin, a biomedical science teacher at Pinole Valley High, for teaching me about the pink elephant. So back to the situation. After two weeks, the patient calls back to tell you that she has been making a little progress and whether or not she should move to a better neighborhood. While some people felt that it is not the business of a doctor to tell a patient whether or not they should move, I felt that it is because moving correlate to her well being. I decided to advise her to move because the benefits outweigh the trouble. She would have access to affordable healthy food, a park and there are no fast food restaurants around. This TBL session went really well and it wasn't as chaotic as the last one. We all pretty much agreed with each other on everything so it flowed by.<br />
<br />
Our first afternoon lecture was by Dr. Jamie Dwyer, he talked to us about the kidneys. So you can have anywhere from 0 functioning kidneys to 4 kidneys. 0 is when you have kidney failure. 1 is a pretty common condition where the two kidneys are fused into one so technically you only have one. 2 is the normal number of kidneys that a person should have, 3 is when you have one kidney transplant and 4 is when you have two kidney transplants because your old kidney(s) are/is kept inside of you. The kidneys regulate blood pressure, remove toxin, makes urine and synthesize hormones. The kidneys turns about 320 liters of blood to 1 liters of urine each day. The kidneys claim 99% of the body's water or else it would turn to dust.<br />
<br />
Next we had a psychologist named Dr. David Schlundt to tell us about food deserts. Food deserts are just places where the residents have no transportation and/or has to drive a distance to get food. Dr. Schlundt showed is various maps of Tennessee and how it relates to the obesity map. Areas where there are food deserts are also areas where the most obesity cases are at. The maps were ranged from city sized up to state wide. Of course there are well off neighborhood where they can just order their maids to go shopping for grocery and not have to worry. He also talked about a research project he did with his colleagues and a summer student. They used GPS devices to track their movement throughout the day for about 10 days. By looking at data on where and when someone had been and at what speed. He can figure out their lifestyle. Dr. Schlundt hopes to use this method on his patients someday to help them figure out their good and bad habits and improve on them. He told us all that from this day forward, we should not look at our (future) patients as a ball of symptoms but as a whole person and how they interact with their environment. Twice in a day, light has been shed on the way I would look at the world.<br />
<br />
Since all of our lectures were finished and we still had lots of time left, Jon decided to tell us about his summer research project. So he spends some time in Lwala, Kenya studying soil transmitted helminths, which is parasitic worms. He tested the stool samples of many of the villagers and came up with a list of risk factors of who is more likely to get infected. Afterward we watched a video of a 15 year old who discovered a more efficient, accurate, inexpensive and fast way of detecting pancreatic cancer. After watching the video I just thought about how doomed my life is.<br />
<br />
Tonight was the night of the VSA talent show. Everyone here is so talented at everything, some sang like angels, some danced like ballerinas, and a few gave us hearty laughs. Since it is our second to last night, we proctors allowed us to have sleepovers in each others room. My roommate went to another room to sleep so I invited a few of my friends to come over. We all settled down, watched a movie and then fell asleep. Except for me, here I am writing my blogs while listening to their soft snoring. I can't wait for my OR time tomorrow but I'm saddened by what tomorrow is; our last full day at VSA.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11262628616351574581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-27719073118305733392013-07-24T23:44:00.003-07:002013-07-25T09:00:05.198-07:00We Can't Stop<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_Tv-yVGA4A/UfCrQ4z84UI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ptAkZureOIA/s1600/P1040124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_Tv-yVGA4A/UfCrQ4z84UI/AAAAAAAAAiI/ptAkZureOIA/s1600/P1040124.JPG" height="320" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amber's birthday surprise!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Another birthday was celebrated at VSA today! This time, it was a good friend of mine from my proctor group, Amber! To celebrate, our proctor group swung by CVS Pharmacy during a SOFT night prior to preparing last night. Not only did we buy a ton of chocolate and balloons, but we bought poster paper to make a gigantic card. You can never go wrong with chocolate and a card. The balloons were an extra touch. Acting as a group, I realized how much my proctor group means to me. I absolutely love them with every fiber of my being. I can't stress this enough. Compared to most proctor groups, we're as close as can be. We have no obligation to be together nor be friends, but we do and we are. And in a span of two and a half weeks, my proctor group has become my VSA family. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As one of our last classes, Dr. Williams came today and talked about the obesity epidemic and the role of bariatric surgery. According to to the AMA, obesity is a disease and an epidemic. The further we got into his slides, the more I agreed with the AMA. Just a couple weeks ago, I remember having to decide whether or not obesity was a condition or a disease. Initially calling it a condition, I'd label obesity otherwise. Medical therapy, diet, and exercise alone generally don't work for the overall population. If it did, obesity wouldn't be as problematic as it is today. In fact, individuals who had a 10% weight loss and maintained their weight for five years is considerably low. Under Weight Watchers, only a reported 18.8% were able to do so while 25% managed to do so using any method. With that being said, dieting alone won't help. The benefits of surgery outweigh its downsides. Ideally, having surgery would save a lifetime of health complications and costs an individual suffering from obesity can incur. Pulling a few strings to be here, I enjoyed Dr. Williams' surgical standpoint and work. By the end of his presentation, we noticed a significant transformation in several of his patients. With one patient's story put into a video, it couldn't be anymore real and touching. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the next two hours of class, we had our last Team Based Learning activity. According to our readings, there's a correlation between socioeconomic status and obesity. Food choices are made based on taste, cost, convenience and possible healthfulness and variety. For disadvantaged groups, they're more suited towards lost-cost foods. But with a low-cost diet, they tend to be energy dense and nutrient poor. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With that being said, the more affluent the neighborhood, the less there is to worry about becoming obese.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> But for those who aren't as fortunate, their situation tends to be different. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reading the direct correlation between socioeconomic status and obesity, I felt and did a lot better than last time. As Jon's group, we doubled our score since our last TBL.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> We've come a very long way since our last TBL, I'll say. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After enjoying a couple fajitas for lunch, we all returned to class to Nephrologist Dr. Dwyer front and center. He spoke on behalf of kidneys and obesity. While medical students can have 200 slides of information within a 50 minute period, Dr. Dwyer went easy on us and had a 70 slide powerpoint ready. Out of all the lectures, his is highly ranked on my list. Taking a different learning approach, I couldn't help but stay awake after having lunch. He was everything I like in teachers. He was easy to understand, engaging, and kept our class on our toes. With each slide, there wasn't much I needed clarification because of his teaching techniques. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dr. Schlundt did the honors of being our last guest speaker. How could we come down to our last guest speaker? Then, he spoke on behalf of food deserts, not food desserts. A food desert is an area with a significant lack of access to healthy foods, concentrated poverty, and lack of access to affordable transportation. The closer one is to major metropolitan areas, the more likely there is for healthier food opportunities. Using maps of Tennessee, Dr. Schlundt covered the correlation between food deserts and obesity. In one of his studies involving a travel tracker, he hopes to learn how a person interacts with their environment and understand their resources in order to anticipate problems. He plans on expanding his three person scale on a grander level using urban and rural areas for further studies. Obesity is caused by all kinds of factors and affects an individual in all kinds of ways. It's more complex than one would think, that's for sure. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the last bit of class, Jon went over his research on soil transmitted Helminthiasis in adults in Lwala, Kenya. Although completely unrelated to obesity, I was excited to see Jon's work. With several years of work, I'm happy his work is finally being published. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YKQwKfs0_U/UfDC_Rc37fI/AAAAAAAAAio/9JUH8jc0cFk/s1600/P1040118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YKQwKfs0_U/UfDC_Rc37fI/AAAAAAAAAio/9JUH8jc0cFk/s1600/P1040118.JPG" height="150" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some amazing acts at the talent show!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Our proctor group wasn't done celebrating Amber's birthday by any means. For the talent show, we all went up and sang her happy birthday in front of everyone. As awkward as she felt, I knew she'd appreciate the gesture. Everyone deserves to feel acknowledged on their birthday, it's a must! Even Kaila went out of her way in buying an ice cream cake for all of us to share during our proctor group meeting. With several birthdays during our time at VSA, I don't know any proctor group who would do what we did. I'd say we're one of the best proctor groups by far. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75Om1v5A58U/UfDHDNIQyBI/AAAAAAAAAjs/k12w4tY36Q4/s1600/P1040119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75Om1v5A58U/UfDHDNIQyBI/AAAAAAAAAjs/k12w4tY36Q4/s1600/P1040119.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing out the cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Fq4psFdEY0/UfDH_mBYfYI/AAAAAAAAAj0/K8xsV77RwUE/s1600/P1040122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Fq4psFdEY0/UfDH_mBYfYI/AAAAAAAAAj0/K8xsV77RwUE/s1600/P1040122.JPG" height="400" width="300"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the birthday girl, Amber!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Although time is constant, it feels like one of the fasted three weeks of my life. I can't believe tomorrow is our last day at VSA. As my friends and I were saying during breakfast, none of us want to leave. We agreed to coming back home for weekend, but coming straight back to VSA afterwards. Sadly, once we leave VSA, most of our chances at coming back after the weekend is highly unlikely. Since I live on the other side of the country, my chances are non-existent. Although I love everyone back home, I've grown attached to my VSA family. But like Josh said at the talent show, "Make the most out of your last day tomorrow." And I plan on doing just that. </span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15987415799173146146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-15094184191362518912013-07-24T22:31:00.001-07:002013-07-24T22:31:39.532-07:00As My Day Comes to An End<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My day definitely went better than my "Terrible Tuesday." My day started off with a field trip to this business that produced prosthetic parts, but they were better known for their prosthetic legs. We pulled up to Bulow's building not knowing what to expect, but as soon as we walked in we were told the meaning of the name. The reason the company is titled Bulow's is because the company specializes in below the knee prosthetic. We then went on a tour where he explained the whole process of making a prosthetic leg for his costumers. In his tour he showed us that in order to make a leg for a costumer he must first take all of their limb nub measurements one with the jell cushion on the leg and one without the cushion. After he gets their measurements, he then makes a stone mold of their leg. Once the stone mold is made the fun part of creating the plastic casing comes in, which they showed us. In this process they heat up a big sheet of two types of plastic, which then is molded on to the stone cast because the plastic turns into a consistency equivalent to melted chocolate. When I think melted chocolate I think chocolate on a strawberry, which is kind of how the plastic forms on the stone mold. Then if the customer feels the pressure of the plastic is in the wrong place, then the workers can reheat the plastic just a little to adjust the plastic to the customers liking. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We also went over some of the prices for the prosthetic, and they literally cost you an arm and a leg. One of the choices with a motorized ankle system costs around $50,000. This was crazy, but it can definitely help if you want to stay active with running because it has spring that helps the running process. We also went upstairs to see some of the rehabilitation rooms, where customers get used to their new leg. We then discussed what could happen if the prosthetics center is off by one or two degrees. The change in degrees can be the difference between the customer's knee buckling, and the customer being able to walk again. I didn't really think one degree would throw you off that much, but the owner demonstrated this with his own prosthetic leg. At the end the workers showed us some of the customized legs on a slide show. Each leg was customized to each person character. I thought it was really neat how they could print out any image on any prosthetic, and I could definitely tell the workers take pride in their work and really care about their users as they explained their motto. Their motto was that the customer must be satisfied in order for them to be satisfied; also the thank you letters on the wall meant a lot to me as I saw them all over the walls. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When we got back to the school with our free pens we ate, then went to class where we observed and played with my teacher's husband's wheelchairs. We all noticed the differences in the way they road and looked as one was for athletics, on was for everyday movements, and one was from the hospital. The athletic wheelchair was off limits after my classmate popped the seventeen year old tire. After we analyzed the wheelchairs we spent the rest of class preparing for the talent show. We basically organized a way two mikes would be shared among sixteen people, so we came up with the idea to make two groups. This worked perfect in our practice. After our less productive second part of class we went back to the dorm for free time, which I spent playing Spades with my roommate Lewis, friend John, and Thomas. We ended up having a blast as both Thomas and I reneged for our teams being the rookies that we are, but we both made up for it with big wins. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After this competitive game of Spades dinner rolled around, then at 7:00 PM came the talent show. This talent show actually had some talent, but before the talent show began my class had to handle some business because we weren't signed up for the talent show. We took care of that so all of my classes' hard work wouldn't go to waste. We ended up being second. We went on stage and rocked it with our shades on as everyone laughed at our video in the background (Video should be on YouTube in a few weeks look for VSA Engineering.) I ended up having fun as six or so acts earned standing ovations. This was one of the few times I've been to a talent show and seen talent. After the talent show Thomas, the guys, and I were back to Spades until bed time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It wasn't until my day came to an end that I realized the bitter sweet feelings I was having. My sweet feeling was that I was finally going home after so long, and I would be able to see my family and go back to work playing football. The bitter feeling was that I'm leaving people and friends I have finally connected with after being in their presence for three weeks. In my mind I couldn't help but want to go home and want to stay at the same time, because it's not like the end of the school year where you say by too your friends for a few months then see them again. It's totally different, because these people that you have connected with you may never see them again as we all go back to our respected states. As the hour glass runs out on my stay I feel a sense of mixed emotions creeping up on me as I leave this place called Tennessee. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10166752555522361583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-81817603583400649912013-07-24T21:23:00.003-07:002013-07-24T21:23:08.238-07:00VSA is Drawing to a Close...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today I went on my last 3-mile run of VSA. After the run, I took a shower, and went to breakfast at 8:10 AM. We started class at 9 with another Puzzler: John and Mary are a married couple. They go to a dinner with 4 other couples, making 10 people in total. Each person shakes hands with the people he/she does not know. (Obviously, no one shakes their own spouse's hand.) At the end of the dinner, John asked everyone (including his wife, Mary) how many hands they shook. The answers were 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. How many hands did Mary shake? (I know it looks like there is not enough information, but there is.) As always, STOP reading if you want to solve it yourself.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a couple minutes of thinking, Dawson told us to draw 10 people, and draw lines between them to signify handshakes. First, we connected person A to 8 people. This means the one person he/she did not shake hands with (besides themselves) is his/her spouse. Therefore, 8 and 0 are a couple. If you continue with this, the couples become 7 and 1, 6 and 2, and 3 and 5, and 4 and 4. Since one of each number was listed, the 4 and 4 pair must be John and Mary. Therefore Mary has 4 handshakes.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next, we had out penultimate student lesson on Circles and their Line Segments (Chords, Secants, Tangents, etc.). The first Mission Holder had to drum on his desk with his pens. For the longest time, the teacher seemed not to notice, so towards the end, he was drumming so loud you could not hear the teacher. At this point, the teacher started augmenting the beat of the drummer. We all started laughing. We thought the teacher would take the pens away, not condone the drumming. When Dawson complained that the drumming was interfering with his "learning," the teacher replied with, "Too bad, I like the drumming." After this, the teacher asked the drummer to sit up front and drop a beat for the remainder of class. The second Mission Holder had to get up 4 times during the lesson to throw something away. There is no trash can in our classroom, so he had to go out into the hall. The teacher did not say anything about this either. (The student never asked, but just got up and did it.) Towards the end of the lesson, the student made sure to walk right in front of the teacher while he was up at the board teaching. Again, the teacher just let it go. The Academic Mission Holder got the Secant Theorem mixed up every time. This lesson did not go very well at all. The teacher did not even have any idea why the theorems he used are true. He also wrote the wrong problems on the board multiple times. Thirdly, he did not do anything to stop those who were interfering with the class's learning.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The final lesson was on pyramids. The first Mission Holder had to ask periodically if we could go outside. The second Mission Holder had to put 1+1 in her calculator and keep pressing Enter. (The goal was to get as high as possible, by adding 1 each time.) I was the Academic Mission Holder. Since the lesson was on pyramids, I would use the slant height instead of the height to find the volume, add to find the area instead of multiply etc. The teacher had a very interesting approach to teaching. At the beginning of class, he played Ancient Egyptian Music, had us all put our phones on the front table, and had up put our backpacks in the back of the room. His reward for putting your phone on the table was a gummy bear. He then proceeded to teach. For every problem or question he asked, a correct answer earned the student a gummy bear. By the end of the lesson, over 100 gummy bears had been handed out. The teacher handled the outside question very well, by saying the student could go outside when class was over in __ minutes. He did not notice the calculator mission, so the student got up to 25,000. Whenever I got a wrong answer, he would look at my work (or have me put it on the board), and then show me where I went wrong.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After this lesson, Dawson gave a lecture on Game Theory. He started with a partner activity. One person was offered $100, but they must offer the second some portion of the money. Only one offer can be made. Logic states that the first person should offer the second person $1. This way the first person and second person get more money than if the offer is rejected. But 1000s of studies have been done that show virtually no one accepts the $1 deal, because the other person is getting $99. In Game Theory you must think not only about yourself, but others moves. People get upset when they are offer $1, so that someone else can get $99.<br />
<br />
Next, Dawson introduced the Prisoner's Dilemma. You and a friend are arrested by the police. You and your friend (Person A and Person B) are questioned in separate rooms. You can either be silent, or confess. If both are silent, not much is known, so each person gets 1 year in prison. If one person confesses, he gets to go free with probation, but the other person get 10 years in jail. If both confess, each gets 5 years in jail. Dawson gave us a folded index card. We put our name, and if we would choose to confess, or be silent. He then randomly paired us, and revealed our fates. Next, Dawson pointed out that in the dual confession case, neither person could improve their fate unless the other person does too. This is called the Nash Equilibrium. (Since it was discovered by a man named Nash.) Dawson showed us a clip from the movie <i>A Brilliant Mind. </i>(We are watching the whole movie tomorrow.) I learned from the movie that before Nash's work, everyone thought the best outcome for the group would come from everyone doing what favored his/herself the most. The movie showed gave an example of why this is not true. I was very glad Dawson showed the clip. I thought it explained it a little bit better than he did.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the Game Theory lecture we had lunch. When we came back from lunch, we had the Poker Tournament. First, Dawson explained the rules. We were going to play Texas Hold'em Poker. The 14 of us (12 students plus Dawson and Emily) were randomly divided into two tables of 7 people. Although we had a dealer card, and rotated it around after each game, Emily and Dawson did all the shuffling and dealing for the sake of time. Dawson had it structured so that the Little Blind and Big Blind increased every 15 minutes. Each person started with $1000 in chips, and the initial Little and Big Blinds were $5 and $10. The minimum bet for any round of betting was the Big Blind value. By 3 PM, the Blinds were up to $1000, and $2000. (Dawson wanted the game to end soon after 3, so that we would have enough time to go to Ben and Jerry's after.) After six people were eliminated, we </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
consolidated into one table. I just barely made the cut, and had only $290. The top two people had over $5000. I was soon out, so I played other card games with the losers. We started with BS, but eventually, played Spades. I actually enjoyed Spades more than Poker. At the beginning of Poker, it was enjoyable, but towards the end it was not fun as everyone was trying to get me out of the game.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kL7Guypzew8/UfBuUbcKjvI/AAAAAAAAARQ/NCv2H1wB_h4/s1600/100_4522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kL7Guypzew8/UfBuUbcKjvI/AAAAAAAAARQ/NCv2H1wB_h4/s320/100_4522.JPG" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm! Ice Cream!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the Poker tournament ended around 3:15, Dawson gave us all a ballot with the list of student and their lessons. We were supposed to vote for the top three. Dawson said he is going to give recognition to various lesson tomorrow (for various aspects), and that he wants our input. He said that every year he has done the voting, his top three, and the students's top three were the same. After quickly handling the voting, we headed off to Ben and Jerry's. I ended up getting a cone with Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. (I know it does not look like mint, but I could definitely taste it.) It was really good: the best Mint-Chocolate Chip ice cream I've had.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After Ben and Jerry's, we had free time until dinner (2 hours.) I ending up playing Spades with Keli'i and two other floor mates. This game was a lot more fun, because we played more than one round. We almost won the game, but we did not have enough time to play another round. (In Spades, your team wins or loses a certain number of points. The first team to 500 points wins.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After dinner we had the VSA Talent Show. The performances ranged from dancing to singing to standup comedy. The stand up comedy (by Jorge) was by far the best act. It turned out that it was almost all Improv, because the act he had worked on for 3 weeks was too long, and had too much space in between jokes. He discovered this about 1 hour before the show. The MC's tried to be funny with their introductions of the acts, but not even their best joke was comparable to Jorge's worse. Another hilarious act was when some students made a parody of the One Direction song "Light Up My World," about our proctor Hugh. I thought many of the acts sucked, but those two made it worth it for me. After the show we had a proctor meeting and played more Spades.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we are not doing a whole lot of math. I know we are watching a movie for part of the day, and we do not have study hall. Instead we have the VSA closing ceremony. We also have the Decades Dance in the evening. There's only one full day left. I know without a doubt that I will miss VSA. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879196077447679026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-69554623800590913352013-07-23T23:35:00.001-07:002013-07-23T23:35:39.896-07:00Last of Many<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last night, I decided to participate in a game of assassin with other willing VSA students. Since this was the second and last round, I didn't want to miss out. In the game, there's an assassin and a target. The assassin's objective is to "kill" their target using a spoon to swipe their target's necks. From the last round, I knew it would be tough to stay alive beyond the first hour. And this time, people were ten times more paranoid. Within the first couple minutes, screams could be heard from every floor. Somehow, I managed to stay alive past last night. But I knew my death was inevitable, I just had no idea how soon it would hit me. Half an hour into breakfast, Paige came over to my table. Finding out who her assassin was, she talked about how scared for her life she was. And before I knew it, she killed me without anyone ever noticing. Still, I was relieved knowing I was dead and no longer had to look over my shoulders. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dressed in clinic clothes, Urvashi, Ann, and I were led to our respective clinics by Jake. As the first person to be dropped off, we all went to the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. Interested in cardiovascular medicine from our lecturers, I was thrilled to be shadowing Dr. Damp. I was later met by two other individuals who would also be under Dr. Damp's care. While one was a second year resident, the other individual just started his fellowship at VUMC. Needless to say, Dr. Damp had her hands full today. I ended up shadowing the fellow during the initial meeting with each patient, and he would later consult Dr. Damp about his observations. Following their conversation, Dr. Damp would see her patient along with the fellow and I. Although the majority of her patients came for a regular checkup, it was all still very interesting to watch. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Both Dr. Damp and the fellow even let me listen to each of the patients' hearts and informing me on what was happening.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> T</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hey were keen on making me feel involved during the entire process. B</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">efore I knew it, it was time for Jake to pick me up and head to the Commons. My time at the clinic left me wishing I could stay for whole day. I can't tell whether or not I enjoy the clinic or the OR more, I'm just grateful to have been given the opportunity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the second half the day, we were greeted by two lecturers. Our first lecture was on dyslipidemia by one of our very own instructors, Jake! By the end of his lecture, all of us were thoroughly impressed by the work put into his powerpoint. Not only were we familiar with lipids, but the differences between good and bad cholesterol. With exercise and high fiber, it's possible for an individual to have good cholesterol(High Density Lipids). In doing so, treatment using statins isn't as likely to be used because of lower risks. Following Jake's enlightening lecture, Dr. Johnson came for the third and last time on colon cancer.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> As of 2013, one in three Americans roughly die from the disease. Individuals who are 50 years of age and beyond are more susceptible to colon cancer, with roughly 90% of this age group affected. African Americans in particular however, have the highest incidence and mortality rate of all groups in the US. According to one of Dr. Johnson's maps, states with the highest rates of obesity are less likely to be screened while states with lower obesity rates are more likely to be screened. I wish this wasn't the case, but sadly it is. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As the third most common cancer in the US and third deadliest,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> the issue of knowing what you eat couldn't be any more prevalent. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_Z_FYNSt6g/Ue9s9efvd1I/AAAAAAAAAhc/7aG-lwbyPMw/s1600/P1040101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_Z_FYNSt6g/Ue9s9efvd1I/AAAAAAAAAhc/7aG-lwbyPMw/s1600/P1040101.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before leaving for the Mellow Mushroom. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With today being one of our last SOFT nights, some of us decided to make the most of it and have dinner at the Mellow Mushroom. Since there are no Mellow Mushrooms in California, it sounded like the best place to eat. And I was right, their pizza was delicious. I don't think I've ever had that kind of pizza before. Its proportions are unlike any pizza franchise I've been to. With good food and good people, my last SOFT night couldn't have gotten any better. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQFbuMf93_w/Ue9zQ0MngjI/AAAAAAAAAhs/BEuxRsELQKo/s1600/P1040102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQFbuMf93_w/Ue9zQ0MngjI/AAAAAAAAAhs/BEuxRsELQKo/s1600/P1040102.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Ciara, Sara, and Natalie<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZYXu3I4YyI/Ue90MFZK8yI/AAAAAAAAAh8/6AJD0Uv5DCU/s1600/P1040103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZYXu3I4YyI/Ue90MFZK8yI/AAAAAAAAAh8/6AJD0Uv5DCU/s1600/P1040103.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Reflecting on today, I noticed that today marked the end of many things. From clinical experiences to SOFT nights, today signals the official countdown until VSA 2013 really does come to an end. I've certainly come a long way since our first week here at Vanderbilt University. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15987415799173146146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-52135937439477966232013-07-23T23:27:00.005-07:002013-07-24T22:41:15.228-07:00Sadly Almost There<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you ever been so sure that you were going to do something but when the time came, you end up not doing it? Last night I was so set on waking up early, go to the gym and start my day fresh but when my friend gave me a wake up call the decline came automatically. I was told, on several occasions, that you should snooze because it would bring in a new sleep cycle yet I repeatedly do it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today was the clinic/OR/tour/movie rotation. I didn't get picked for the OR this time and since I have already been to the clinic and the tour, I had to stay and watch a movie. The movie that we watched is called "Wit", it's about a professor, Vivian Bearing PhD, who has ovarian cancer. The doctor who delivered the news to her was a rude man who did not consider how she is handling the news. He quickly jumped into persuading her to do a trial treatment and did not give her any other choice. The treatment is for research purposes and won't better her quality of life. Before proceeding, she had to sign an informed consent form which basically says that she knows what she is getting herself into. I felt like she wasn't very informed because the doctor did not tell her of the risk or the alternatives. One of the doctor who was treating her is actually her former student. During her stay at the hospital she was treated like a guinea pig by everyone except for the nurse. Finally she died and the doctor tried to save her in the name of research even though she is a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). After the movie, Jake gathered everyone and we discussed the movie. I really can't believe how those doctors were treating her, for example in one scene they all stood around her bed and converse like she wasn't in the room, then they had the audacity to lift her gown, without warning or even asking for permission, and started feeling her abdomen. The doctors in the movie had the worst bedside manners and I thought that they did not deserve the title. I believe that a doctor should be someone who cares for their patients, someone who is compassionate. Becoming a doctor means that you save lives but in a way where you consider about how your patient may feel and not treat them like just another person. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our afternoon class was taught by Jake. He talked about dyslipidemia which essentially means bad fat in the blood. So cholesterol is the building blocks of all lipid cells and they can be HDL (High Density Level) or LDL (Low Density Level). HDL is more protein and less fat while LDL is less protein and more fat. As you can guess, having a high level (> 40) of HDL is good while LDL levels of more than 100 is not something to aim for. To raise your HDL level, you should exercise, not smoke, and eat healthy food while one would do the opposite to raise LDL level. Statins is a drug used to treat patient with very high risk. What it does is that it inhibit the liver from sending out more LDL so there will be more HDL to get rid of the cholesterol. After Jake's lecture, Dr. Joyce Johnson returned to give us another lecture on cancer, colorectal to be exact. Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or the rectum. While the development of these cancers is extremely similar the symptoms and treatment are way different. They can only be treated with surgery and they have a 90% survival rate when local but if it spreads then it's only 65%. They are most likely to occur in adult ages 50 and above. Males have a slightly higher risk than females, as usual. One way to detect the cancer is to screen for polyps via endoscopy and if polyps are present they are removed to prevent cancerous growth. Some other ways to prevent colorectal cancer is to limit red and processed meat intake while increase fruits and veggie intake, don't smoke, don't consume alcohol, and <span class="GINGER_SOFATWARE_correct" ginger_sofatware_markguid="3604894e-e1e7-461c-84a2-2e1c4e0ccdee" ginger_sofatware_uiphraseguid="c35344be-386e-41c8-b35f-1cd6ac736b54" grcontextid=",:0">,</span>of course, exercise regularly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the last hour of class we read article to prepare ourselves for another team based learning class. I'm very excited because the last one turned out great and I really like the articles this time also. It's about how the economy affects obesity and also how your neighborhood may affect your health. During free time today, Kathleen, our proctor, ordered pizza and we watched a movie. She also taught some girls how to do make up which I wasn't interested in. I can't wait for the team based learning class tomorrow and the instructors have a lot of great lectures in stored.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11262628616351574581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-4572506578781032902013-07-23T20:23:00.003-07:002013-07-23T20:24:32.850-07:00The Day Known as Terrible Tuesday<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today began like a terrible Tuesday in class for me. It was supposed to be raining and thundering today, but instead of raining and thundering on campus it rained and thundered on my day in class. Today started off great for me everything was going good from the time I woke up to the time I went to class. Once in class my teacher informed us that we would be building robots. Each robot would be a motorized bug that we would race once finished. This required a lot of careful direction reading and melting tin with a very hot solder. This was easy as can be, until I got to the part where I had to use a partner to insert my two batteries. First my partner had trouble grabbing the battery from me while keeping it in the robot bug. Then after five or six failed transfers he grabbed it and put the battery in himself and soldered it. Then I grabbed it from him and noticed that the battery was in the wrong way. This irritated me, but I was fine with it. I then spent thirty minutes trying to take the battery out, but in order to take the battery out I had to use the hot solder to remelt the tin. After I remelted the tin I would have to quickly suck the melted tin up into this tube. This process took forever, and it made me want to softly nudge the battery out of the spot so I tried. This was such a bad idea that as soon as I touched the battery I dropped my bug in shock of the hotness. This was an upsetting act for me, but I kept it pushing as I tried one more time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This one more time would be my last time, as I burned my pinky with the solder while trying to untangle the cord as my partner accidentally bumped my seat. This was the last straw as I dropped the solder out of quick pain, but I then picked it up to put it back in its holder. I then had to woohsaah (The relaxing method from Bad Boys 2,) before I got upset as I bald up my fists and let out air in frustration. My partner then asked to do it for me, and I said if you want. He then tried for three minutes, before he burned the back of his middle finger and quit. We both held our burns upset for a short time, but his was worse than mine. He had a big red blister forming after twenty second, but I had tender redness in my pinky while I sucked on it to ease the pain. Then my teacher came over and misunderstood what I had asked her and molded the battery back, as it was almost out. She then came up with a solution to just mix up the wires. This plan was being taken into effect as I correctly put in the second battery and mixed the wire. My bug ended up working right before lunch, but the bug would barely move he would move like a snail. After my magnificent disappointment we went to lunch where we joked around, until it was time to go to the computer lab across from the dorms.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At the computer lab we would be making posters out of a power-point. This problem was that I've never made a power-point, and I'll tell you that it's not the easiest thing to do or get used to. After writing my ideas and thoughts down on some paper I was ready to use the computer. When I started off on power-point I was just messing over things like the background and the font styles. After messing over those things I finally decided to put some words on my slide, but it was so hard to find the text box input section. My teacher then came over and helped me, and I was fine until the time to put in some pictures. When it was time to put in some pictures for my breathalyzer poster neither of us were very aware on how to do so. I thought being an engineer teacher she would know everything there is to know about power-points and computers, but she didn't and we learned together as she found it and altered my poster just a little.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After this I saved it, well at least I think so to this flash-drive before class was over. Once class was over we went to the yard and played a little Frisbee, until it was proctor group bonding time. In my proctor group bonding time we decided to join the whole third floor and have athletic activities and games on the lawn. This is where my terrible Tuesday turned into a fun Tuesday. I instantly started having fun when we started playing capture the flag. This made my day as I scored three of my team's five scores. I just kept running after the flag, because the other team kept turning their backs to me. This made me take off running. We were going to extend the playing field, but it was already dinner time. This was the second time I actually ran free in a while, I think we should play this in football. After dinner my night slowed back down as I played spades with the fellas for the first time. This game was pretty easy as I waist time and wait for the talent show tomorrow night.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10166752555522361583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-675167325547039442013-07-23T18:43:00.002-07:002013-07-23T21:01:15.207-07:00Lesson Learned<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today's Puzzler was one of the hardest. I don't necessarily agree it is the hardest one we have done., but it is definitely up there. Dawson told us that no class has ever solved it without him pushing us in the correct direction. It was another hat puzzle: There is a prison colony in the South Pacific with 12 prisoners and a twisted warden. He tells the prisoners he has a game they can play the next day. Each participant will have a hat placed on his head, and they will all be lined up just like before, so that each person can see the people in front of them. There are yellow hats and white hats. If the prisoner is able to guess what color their hat is, then he is released. If not, he is thrown to the sharks. The prisoners can only say yellow or white, nothing else. The prisoners get to think about participating overnight, and one of them comes up with a plan that guarantees that at least 11 out of 12 of them will be set free. They draw straws for who will be the 12 person. What is the plan, and why do they have to draw straws? As always, STOP reading if you want to solve the puzzle yourself. </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eventually Dawson dropped the hint that it depends on what type of number of hats is left. We then figured out that the person in the back could be giving a code. If he sees an odd number of yellow hats, he would say yellow. If he sees an even number of yellow hats, he says white. Then the person in front knows his hat color. If the back man said yellow, and the person in front of him sees an odd number of hats, he knows his is white. If he sees an even number of yellow hats, he knows his hat is yellow. Everyone is guaranteed safety (if they pay attention) except for the back person. The back person has a 50-50 chance of surviving. Therefore, 11 are guaranteed safety, and the 12 has a 50-50 chance. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the Puzzler, we had our first of four student lessons for the day. The first lesson was on the Angles of a Polygon. The first Missions Holder's task was to talk as much as possible. The Second Mission Holder (Me) had to pack up five minutes early, and not do any work after that point. The Academic Mission Holder mixed up interior and exterior angles. Overall, I thought his lesson went pretty well. The teacher's explanations were good, and when students misbehaved, he made them come to the board and do work. (Sometimes, he made them write the notes on the board, other times they had to solve problems.) When I packed up early, I made sure it was really obvious, and even put my backpack on. He sent me up the to the board to solve the difficult problem he just wrote on the board. He gave me 30 seconds. I knew what to do, and almost finished, but when the time ended, he sent me back to my seat, telling me to get out my notebook again. Then he proceeded to erase all my correct work, and redo the problem himself for the class. I thought he should have just left it up, but he was the teacher, not me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The next lesson was on the Pythagorean Theorem. The First Mission Holder (Me again) had to lose interest, and read a book. (Dawson gave me <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i>.) I got caught after about 15 minutes, and the teacher took the book away, so I started reading my math textbook. She told me to close the book 4 times throughout the rest of the lesson, but she never took it. The Second Mission Holder already knew all the material, and wanted harder problems. The teacher did not handle this very well. The problems she gave were not much harder than the regular ones. The Academic Mission Holder always added the squares of the two given sides, even if the hypothenuse was given. The teacher really tried to make the lesson interesting, and I actually had a hard time staying focused on my reading. She started the lesson with a song about the Pythagorean Theorem, and at the end showed a <i>Who Wants to be a Millionaire </i>clip where a contestant lost $15,000 because he did not know the Pythagorean Theorem. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After this lesson, Dawson started us on the "Unknown Area Project." We were divided into 4 groups. I was with Alex and Brenden. Each team was given a poster board with a obscure combination of shapes, made into one megashape. Our first task was to find the area of the shape. In the 30 minutes we had before lunch, my group was able to divide up, and calculate the area of the shape. We actually did all this, and had 5 minutes left, but Dawson told us to wait to cut it until after lunch.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After lunch we had two more lessons. The first was on Right Triangle Trigonometry. The first Mission Holder was another know it all, who always had an answer almost immediately. After a while, the teacher got pissed off, and gave him a hard problem to do. I thought this was a great solution. It kept him busy while the teacher taught the rest of the lesson. The Academic Mission Holder got the Opposite, Adjacent, and Hypotenuse mixed up. In my opinion, this lesson did not go that well. To start off with, the teacher showed us Sin, Cos and Tan. That worked fine, but when he showed us the inverses, it fell apart. He found an angle with one method, but did not get the same answer using a different method. It turned out that the side lengths did not make a right triangle. Once I pointed that out to him, he fixed it, and did not make the mistake again. (Dawson told us afterwards that his lesson plan was full of false right triangles, so the rest of the problems were changed on the fly.) Also, he did not give a hard problem for the know it all until class was almost over.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last lesson of the day was my favorite, because we were laughing almost the whole time. The lesson was on Inscribed Angles. The first Mission Holder had to try to engage the teacher in conversation to get her off task. The teacher handled this very well, saying her work life is separate from her personal life, so she does not talk about it with her students. After a while, she sent the student to the corner of the room, as far away from her as possible. The second Mission Holder had to have issues with a difficult problem. The student took it to the extreme, and water to make it look like he was crying over the problem. We all knew it was fake, so we could not stop laughing for over 2 minutes. The teacher handled this well, and let him go outside to "calm down." The Academic Mission Holder would forget to divide by two when converting an arc measure to an inscribed angle measure. The lesson was hilarious, because all the students saw Mission Holder #2 preparing his tears. The teacher did not notice what was going on, but we could not stop laughing. The answer to one of the problems was mAC =12 degrees. The second Mission Holder made a comment that that was awful cool to be running the AC. (Haha...) Just in general, the second Mission Holder made the class funny. This was by far my favorite lesson. It was lots of fun, but also somewhat challenging.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRunqO5lrVA/Ue8tMQn1bGI/AAAAAAAAAQw/FLZ9BHuETMo/s1600/100_4518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRunqO5lrVA/Ue8tMQn1bGI/AAAAAAAAAQw/FLZ9BHuETMo/s320/100_4518.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Megashape!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During Study Hall, we finished the Unknown Area Project. Our group was done after 15 minutes. We then cut out the object, and weighed the scraps. Dawson had already cut an weighed a whole poster board, so we found the weight of our object. We then calculated what percent of the area of the poster board was covered, and what percentage of the mass was used in the object. We were off by 1.7%. Dawson told us that in his Honors Geometry class (which he gives this project), he multiplies the error percent by 5, and subtracts it from 100% to get your grade. After we finished, we talked until Study Hall ended at 4 PM.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5A6T7cLdlg/Ue8tMdcda5I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/_UyGGCRVscM/s1600/100_4520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5A6T7cLdlg/Ue8tMdcda5I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/_UyGGCRVscM/s320/100_4520.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pile of scraps to weigh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From 4 to 6, we had to spend time with our proctor groups. All three of the third floor proctor groups got together and played games on the Wyatt lawn. We started with Capture the Flag, but there was also a smaller group playing football. We ended up playing four games of Capture the Flag. This time my team won them all. I actually enjoyed this round of Capture the Flag more. (Not just because we won.) With fewer people, the game gets more strategy based. Losing one person is a much bigger deal in a small game. After four games of Capture the Flag, people started to lose interest. We were going to play another round with a bigger field (the area from Hank to the Wyatt lawn), but we did not have enough time. We ended up playing a quick game of soccer instead. After this fun-filled time with my floor mates, we headed to dinner.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tomorrow is going to be a great day. We have the final two student lessons and a lecture on Game Theory in the morning. In the afternoon, we have the Poker Tournament, and afterwards a class trip to Ben and Jerry's. Tomorrow evening, we have the VSA Talent Show. Once again, the only bad part is that means there are 2 days left of VSA.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00879196077447679026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847325130656942149.post-78468899320750495322013-07-22T23:39:00.001-07:002013-07-22T23:39:24.517-07:00Monday Madness<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMsGJCDhWoo/Ue4PafYuLhI/AAAAAAAAAf0/uu10SeaUxi4/s1600/P1040083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMsGJCDhWoo/Ue4PafYuLhI/AAAAAAAAAf0/uu10SeaUxi4/s1600/P1040083.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loan practicing her suture skills.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Like our last lesson on knot tying, Jon led the class again. This time, we all harvested our suturing skills while building upon our knot tying skills. We learned how to do a simple interrupted suture to a running suture. Using foam pads, we mainly got went through the motions. It may not have been the best indicator of whether or not our sutures would hold up. Everyone has to start somewhere. And there's no way of harvesting these skills without having to start from the ground up. Since I love working with my hands, I was as content as could be. I wasn't the best at suturing, but I gradually got the hang of it as Jon, Jake, and Mary walked around the classroom. Having them critique me is always an added bonus when doing these kinds of activities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After spending two hours on suturing, Pathologist Dr. Johnson came and gave us a lecture on cancer. She'll actually be speaking on three different occasions, with two today, and the last lecture tomorrow. As an introduction to cancer, we learned about the basics of the genetic disease and its effects. In the United States alone, one in four men are likely to get cancer while two in three women are likely to get cancer. While there is a golden period when individuals are less likely to be hit by cancer, the disease manages to make its way to the top of the list. Obesity tends to be a risk factor on most of the leading causes of deaths. Because of our high fat, high carbohydrate, low fiber diet, it's no wonder that why our Western diet leads to severe health complications.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the first hour of class, Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Dean Zic came to clear up several myths on the medical school admission process. Some of what he had to say was easily transferrable to applying for undergraduate schools. Like every guest speaker who has come by to lecture us, I deeply appreciated Dean Zic for making his way out. He shed a different aspect of medical school dealing with the admissions process. Everyone who hopes to study to practice being a doctor has to first get accepted to medical school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Like undergraduate school, medical schools like to look for well rounded individuals. According to Dean Zic, one of their first year students majored in piano performance and somehow made their way to study at Vanderbilt for medicine. Like my band director has said countless times, there's a connection between music and science. With that being said, there's no need to major in something science oriented for undergraduate school. Like Vanderbilt University, schools accept students of all different backgrounds. In addition, a high GPA alone won't get you into medical school. Experience from service, leadership, research, extracurricular activities, and medical school are key to the overall application as well. Similar to the SAT, MCATs are also used to enhance an application. However, they're not the best predictor of an individual's medical school performance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What I found most interesting was when Dean Zic mentioned how the AAMC predicted a severe shortage of doctors to take care of the aging population. And instead of raising their number of students to accept, Vanderbilt will lower their class size from 100 to 88 students. He stressed the importance of reading your prospective school's mission statement. As their mission statement, Vanderbilt hopes to improve human health. One aspect Vanderbilt hopes to fulfill their statement is by preparing their students for worldwide leadership. Instead of practicing pediatrics in a suburb, they hope for their students to practice to become a leader on a community level and possibly on the national level. As one of the top universities in the nation, Vanderbilt continually raises the bar and pushes its students to think and act globally. And when it came down to projecting the number of available spots to do so, their number of spots came down to 88 students per class. Because of Dean Zic, I plan on looking at my possible colleges' mission statements. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Later, we walked across the hall for the cancer organ recital. Pathologist Dr. Coogan showed us all kinds of organs to look and touch. From kidneys to colons, I saw the difference between normal and cancerous organs. It was just as exciting as the time we saw the different kinds of hearts. I couldn't believe what my eyes were witnessing for an hour. Coming back to the classroom, we were greeted by Dr. Johnson for our lecture on breast cancer. Three quarters of women who develop breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors other than their gender. There's no single type of female who isn't at risk. However, breast cancer is treatable and manageable thanks to medical advances. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The wonders of medicine is what bring balance to the depressing aspects of being a doctor. These past couple weeks have given me a wealth of knowledge that's I can't imagine being without. Med School 101 has covered all kinds of aspects of medicine and medical school without having set foot in undergraduate school. After today's agenda, there's no telling what tomorrow's schedule will bring!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15987415799173146146noreply@blogger.com0