A week ago I sat at a restaurant for lunch with a few close friends. Three of us were nursing students. Over the semester we have bonded on a level very different than our peers. As 20 year olds we have seen and had to deal with things that most people do not have to deal with in their entire lifetime: The emotions that come with lifelong and sudden illnesses, the damage a silly accident can cause, caring for people who can not care for themselves. It is a total immersion intense learning experience. I felt the urge to remark about our semester together. Here is the gist of my summary:
This semester has been the hardest so far. It has been painful, intense, busy, but we learned a lot -
and now it is over!
No, this is not commendable like Ghandi. Instead I am referring to stabs using technology. Computers have killed our communication skills with each other and promoted passive aggressive behavior. In the past two months I have been frustrated, annoyed, hurt, and eventually humored by such trivial things as Instant Messenger away messages and Facebook statuses. Honestly...who would have thought? Whether it be painfully specific messages that I ask myself "why?" or impressively vague messages that my mind spins in the worst possible way, it is all in the shadows. You might not see anything going on face to face, smiles all around - but under the table there are these subtle stabs.
I have not done much better. While I chose not to "stoop to that level" I have successfully avoided confrontation. I excuse my behind the back talking to "getting it off my chest" and "venting" to friends that I trust. While this is necessary for emotional support and my own sanity, I'm not sure I can necessarily call it more mature. Here I am, again, talking about it - no matter how vague - online. One friend brightened my spirits by pointing out how humorous the situation really was. The passive aggressive behavior has pretty much subsided, as talk has passed from person to person, but it still bothers me. I do not even know if any of it was actually targeted at me. It is quite possible that I am just jealous and paranoid.
I am not proud of this.
Today I sent in my application for my student visa...for entry into Israel. I was accepted into the semester long study abroad program at Hebrew University awhile ago. It is a special program tightly knit with Penn Nursing, so that I get all of my clinical requirements in. I have my flight set, my housing set, my program set. Now, I just need that official document.
Why Israel, you ask? Well, quite frankly, why not? No, unlike a large population of Penn, I am not Jewish and have no family there. But like I said, there is a special Nursing program offered. Penn Nursing only offers two semester study abroad options. One in England, and one in Israel. The England program, despite their keenness to high tea, was not my cup of tea. As the application deadline for study abroad in Israel came near, I realized I would regret it if I did not go. Studying abroad is one of the opportunities you can only experience in college. Sure, there is a travel advisory warning to Israel, but I am not worried. This will be a completely different culture and experience than I could ever imagine. The adventure will begin at the end of January. The anticipation is enormous!
While shopping for our Secret Santa gifts in center city, a friend and I were intrigued by music playing in Rittenhouse Square. Naturally, we headed over to the park to see what was going on. As it turns out it was the second night of Chanukah. There was a tent designed as a dreidel, with traditional food being served out front. People gathered around to sing songs as the make-do electric menorah was lit. A Rabbi was present to say a blessing. Afterwards kids were invited into the dreidel tent to watch a video on Chanukah and play games. My friend and I stood a bit aback, taking all of this in, and neither of us could help but smile. While we are not Jewish, the sense of community shown at this very moment was moving.
It doesn't matter what you believe, community is extremely important to a person's well-being. My community is my friends. As we sat around the next day exchanging our Secret Santa gifts the same feeling came over me - but this community was my own. As we are all apart from our families in college, our friends become our family. Love was in the air. Friend love...the most important kind. With a genuine sense of caring for each other.
Man, I didn't mean to get sappy...
My last post is actually rather funny now that I look at it. Why? Let's see...I haven't blogged in a month, because I haven't had the time. They really push nursing students to the end. In my case, to the point of becoming sick. I have 3 exams and 3 papers due in the next 2 weeks, as well as a swing show to put on. I don't really know how it is all going to get done, especially while feeling miserable. But it will - because it has to.
About 3 weeks ago Whoopi Goldberg spoke at Penn as part of the SPEC lecture series. As soon as she walked on stage the crowd of mostly college students gave a standing ovation. We were star-struck. Whoopi was standing about 30 feet away. She covered a million different topics throughout her talk, but she left us with one piece of advice. Take time. It is proof alone that it took me 3 weeks to find time to write this post, that we don't do it enough. In the fast paced - stay up late and study - society that we live in we don't have the opportunity to take time. What exactly is the point of all the hustle and bustle, all the drive and work ethic, if we don't have time to sit back and enjoy it? Exactly, there isn't one. This past week I have finally been able to take time. To enjoy my friends and give my brain a break. It does wonders for the mental health. The hardest course (I hope) of my nursing education (Medical/Surgical Nursing for the Young and Middle Aged Adult) is finished. I had multiple breakdowns throughout, as did the other students in the class, from all the pressure, information, and high expectations. They say what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger - but why should it even seem like a plausible outcome to die from the sheer amount of work and lack of free time? I have taken Whoopi's advice to heart. Now the challenge is putting it into practice.
Restaurant Week is one of the best inventions of Philadelphia. The best restaurants in Philadelphia offer a special price fixed 3 or 4 course menu for the bargain price of $30 (more with tax and tip). This gives the more financially challenged people like myself a chance to sample the concoctions of these talented chefs. I got the chance to sample two of the numerous restaurants. One with friends and one with my parents.
Tangerine: HUGE disappointment. This Steven Starr restaurant is over-hyped. The ambiance is beautiful and creates a romantic setting, however it is so loud you have to yell across the table. The food was mediocre.
Appetizer: Wild Mushroom Risotto - the highlight of the entire meal
Bread and Pitas served - looked like they came out of a
package, cut, and served
Entree: Bouillabaisse (a fish stew) - completely void of any flavor
Dessert: Panna Cotta with sorbet - also lacking any flavor
My friends and I sat at the table after finishing, completely unsatisfied and still hungry. It was painful to pay $38 dollars total for that meal.
Patou: A modern atmosphere serving French cuisine. Food was to die for. Absolutely DELICIOUS! I would highly recommend this restaurant. Their menu for restaurant week was much more extensive (most restaurants offer about 3 choices for each course). My parents and I each ordered a different option for each course and rotated. They were all good, but I liked my choices the best.
Appetizer: Fricasee (pan-roasted wild mushrooms)
Freshly baked warm rolls with a olive oil/pesto dip
Entree: Striped Bass (w/ carrot flan and green lentil ragout)
Dessert: Warmed Pear w/ Chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, and sorbet
Drink: Pear Sangria - I actually liked it, which is saying a lot
Lemon Grass: Admittedly not actually part of restaurant week, it is a cute little Thai restaurant just off of campus in West Philadelphia. More in my price-range than the restaurant week restaurants, and much better than Tangerine. The dishes had awesome names, which we each decided to take on as our own. I was the Vegetarian Lover. We also had the Evil Jungle Princess, the Tutti Fruity Duck, the Sensual Salmon, and the Young Girl on Fire. The flavors and spices were delicious, and it was a nice way to end the busy week catching up with friends and not thinking about work.
