Ambition

That title is completely misleading because I am referring only to my ambitious task of blogging every day this week!  Third year has officially begun here at Drexel Med and I am in denial that I will be entering the promise land next week.  It's what I have prepared for and dreamt of for so long--to see patients every day and interact with people who will allow me to share part of their lives with them.  But, why am I in such denial?  Perhaps it is because my year in public health has distracted me.  Or made me too soft and I'm terrified of the "pimping" that occurs in hospitals, or could I actually not be interested any more?  I'm guessing I'm just nervous about transitioning into a completely new arena that will begin my training to save peoples' lives (hopefully physically and be a gateway for spiritual and emotional healing).  Maybe I am afraid that after all this time of preparation and suffering (I clearly use the word loosely because my life was never endangered or threatened) I might not like it.  Do you think that is how some Israelites felt when they were about to enter the promised land?

Let me tell you what happened this morning in our apartment.  I woke up early after a restless night, spent some time in prayer, put some hot water to boil, and started getting ready for the day.  Burton woke up about 15 minutes after I did and began getting ready for the day as well.  Unfortunately, I was taking a bit longer than he liked since we had to leave exactly at 9:30 and I needed 5 more minutes.  Before throwing on my clothes, I poured hot water over some delicious yummy strawberry black tea straight from London's famous tea house, Fortnam and Mason, in my tea maker to have some scrumdiddlyumptious iced tea for my first day of orientation.  Then, I went back to doing my hair and makeup (gotta look good for the first day of school regardless of whether it is elementary school or high school or med school).  I needed to prove that a year of public health did a body and soul good!  That wasn't meant to be vain, but now that I've written it, it sounds as vain as pie!
Burton was meanwhile telling me that I had 5 minutes....I needed 10!
So I said from the bedroom, "Burton if you have some extra time, could you make me my tea?"
Burton from the kitchen: "Sure.  Should I put it in the clear nalgene?"
Me, still in bedroom: "No, put it in the contigo with some honey powder, iced water, and ice"
Burton: "Oh shoot, I think I put in too much honey..."

He walks over to me where I'm finishing up my hair
Burton: "You'd better taste it."
Me: "Really?  Ok..."  Tasted it..."It tastes like sugar water.  And why is it warm?"
Burton: "I thought you wanted hot tea"
Me: "No, I definitely told you cold tea." Btw, it wasn't even hot.  It was lukewarm, saccharine (sickishly sweet), and yuck.
Burton: "You definitely did not tell me that.  You said contigo, so I thought hot."
Me: "It's 90 degrees today, why would I want hot tea?"
Burton: "I don't know.  It's freezing in our auditorium!"
Me: "Eesh...just leave it near the sink, I'll take care of it"
Burton: "We have to leave soon, are you ready?"
Me: "Just 5 more minutes, please!  I'm almost ready"

After I was done, I went to go rectify the tea situation.  I tossed half the tea and added cold water plus ice. After I stirred it around and tasted it, I really really wanted it to be at least edible, but alas...the tea tasted like sugar concentrate + strawberries, and so I had to toss it.

Iced tea fail.  Leave on time, fail.

On the plus side, we have delicious watermelon for these warm summer days!