Think outside the box; because knowledge without application is nonexistent.

 ~ T

There are two types of people in this world:  Those that watch from the sidelines and talk about how different their lives could have been "if only this.." and "if only that" happened. And those who stick by, continue fighting until the end, and overcoming the odds.

The majority of the things I like to watch are japanese related storylines such as anime (Note: I am Vietnamese). They always seem to bring out the key determination in an individual because the main character always has an edge for overcoming the odds because of continued effort of accomplishing a specific set goal. To date, these are just some examples of the series that have shaped my mentality over the years: Pokemon series, Dragonball/Z/GT series, Yugioh Series, Hot Shot series, Team Medical Dragon series, One Piece series, Bleach Series,  Eyeshield 21 series, and the Naruto series. I have seen or am up to date with every single episode/movie/manga/series that has ever been released from the following. What I love most about these storylines is that no matter how slim the odds are or how impossible something seems to be, there is always a chance for improvement and always a chance in obtaining that goal. Just because there is only 1% chance of actually accomplishing that goal, the main character always seem to overturn those odds.

In real life, many successful men and women are successful because they had the mentality and the endurance to overcome those odds. One person I admire is Steve Jobs (recently awarded CEO of the decade) for his great mentality. He is the one person that I believe has revolutionized the world today with his invention of the first personal computer: The Macintosh in 1984. Without the Macintosh, there would be no Windows, no mouse, no iPod, no iPhone, Pixar wouldn't have been so successful, and the internet would not be as sophisticated as it is today (invented in 1983-1989). Truly the world has changed dramatically in the past two and half decades. I also admire many others like: Michael Jordan (recently just became inducted in the hall of fame (2009)), Tiger Woods (Youngest person to hold all golf titles), Martin Luther King Jr. (Political Activist who established racial equality); John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Obama (Great Presidents of our age), Michael Jackson (Revolutionized the music and dance industry), Oprah (Revolutionized the way we think), Roger Federer and Serena Williams (Tennis all stars that prove time and time their consistency of greatness), Sergey Brin (Co-Founder of Google Inc) and Michael Phelps (Olympic all star and first to hold all 8 medals in one olympic). These are just a few examples of the many great and well accomplished individuals out there whom have made a difference in the world we live in today. Change comes from little things, whether it be determination and effort or from great innovative thinking.

~ So. Which type of person are you?

Six weeks has roughly come and pass.

Following up on my previous blog post, I went to Houston to see first hand at the path that I would like to pursue. The program is called SMDEP, short for Summer Medical and Dental Education Program. There are a total of 12 sites in the U.S. I attended the one at UT Medical Branch, Houston. What I got out of the program? Clinical Observations and trials, speakers, science classes, and lots of friends and fun. The courses were fairly typical science classes: Organic Chemistry, Physics, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Calculus. Most of these classes I have already taken or been exposed to so they weren't too difficult to dwell in. They were more of a refresher and a reinforcer than anything else. It was nice because it didn't felt rush and I took a renewed interest in science when I learned at my own pace.

My typical day:
8 a.m till noon - class
noon - lunch
1 p.m till 3/5 pm. - class
5 p.m till midnight - dinner and freedom to do whatever

Occasionally there were some special events such as catered lunch, the astros baseball game, the terra cotta museum, and the museum of health and science.

Well lets start off with the beginning shall we? Okay so I arrived at Rice University where I was dorming, checked in, and moved in. My room mate? His name was by the name of Shadoe (with an e!). Shadoe was an interesting and fun room mate. He had hundreds of movies to show and stories to tell. Funny introduction was when someone asked me: "So whose your room mate?"

Me: "Ummm his name is uhhhh...crap I forgot..some kid"
A voice from the group: "Does it start with an S?"
Me: "Maybe...yes thats right!"
Shadoe: "Does it start with an Sh?"
Me: "I think so!"
Shadoe: "Is that kid me?"
Me: "haha it is! O_O"

Meeting new people has always been kind of an awkward moment for me, but it also always resulted in fun experiences and cherishable memories. The dorm was co-ed and included both guys and girls. The friends I made here in this program are unforgettable, especially when we spend so much time together.

I made an effort to focus on all the insights of what the program had to offer. Sometimes it was distracting because so many people rather would do something else. I fall into both categories: I took the program seriously but also took the time to enjoy every single little thing.

Some unforgettable memories:
- Going to a shooting range for the first time with my uncle.
- Playing sports with everyone (Volleyball, Frisbee, Basketball, Soccer, etc.)
- Doing clinical hands-on trials
- Playing pool and shooting darts at Michael's house
- Shadowing a doctor
- Going to NASA behind the scenes
- Starting a "club commons"
- Playing a made up game called "Nutball", where guys try to hit each other in their nuts with a ball. Yes the guys were that bored.
- Doing a gross anatomy lab practical..and seeing a cadavear
- Amir causing a hole in the wall, and attempting to fix it..but gets caught nonetheless.
- Doing a group presentation on Direct to Consumer Pharmaceuticals..
- Going swimming at the gym with people
- Making blankets for the children's hospital
- Inventing a universal guy sign language
- Starting a water balloon/silly string mayhem on top of the roof
- Watching tons and tons of movies with people.

Time flies when your having fun and interested in everything that there is to be offered. I can hardly believe six weeks has passed by. 80 people from all across the U.S. were in this program, and now we are back in our homes with memories.

The most thought provoking moment for me was when I was in the gross anatomy lab. To see an actual cadavear and observe limbs. To know that such a person was once alive, having once experienced emotions and memories just like me or anyone else. Life is shorter than one may think. We never know when or how long we all will inhabit the world. So live life, make memories, and seize every opportunity whether good or bad and turn it into a worthwhile experience.

It feels strange to me that all this just happened in the past six weeks and now i'll be going home, back to the real world and back to my life. It was a worthwhile experience that could only be measured by being openminded and embracing every single moment life has to offer.

In essence, I have decided that this is definitely the path I would like to pursue. I want to be a medical professional, preferably someone of hands on practical experience like a surgeon or something of that nature. It will be a difficult path to pursue. My interest may change in the future, but hopefully everything will work out.

I will post some pictures here when I get the chance, but most of them can be found on my facebook.

[Edit]


Me on the far right.


Me on the far left.

~ Godspeed and Godbless to all.