The divine sweetness of things

With the weight of getting into medical school finally lifted from my shoulders, the world seems a little prettier. I bought some daffodils from Safeway to brighten up the house and they are simply resplendent in their yellowness. The house is now brighter and smells like spring. I am smiling at people again and even offering the occasional bright and shiny "good morning!" Reenergized, I climbed a combined total of 6,000 vertical feet this week, rode a solid 50 miles on the bike, hunted some pheasants, and relaxed my mind enough to genuinely enjoy life.

In my earnest desire to avoid being locked down by a job or any other sort of schedule before ratcheting myself into The Most Gigantic Time Commitment Ever, I developed a pre-medical school bucket list. Yes, that list does include some prep work like re-learn my entire anatomy and physiology book, but to me, that is a barrel full of bananas. Also on the list is knocking off one novel per week, make it to the top of Manastash ridge sub-45 minutes, train for the Whiskey Dick, add one new awesome recipe to my repertoire per week (preferably healthy and quick), and a few others that I've yet to solidify. Essentially, I'm trying to make the most of the precious few months of freedom I have left.

IN!

The months dragged on with a weight that at times seemed unbearable. Highs and lows and waiting...hours and days of waiting. All of this culminating in what seemed like the longest day of my life, March 2nd, 2010. At 4:12 pm in the middle of class where a bizarre woman was talking about environment and cultural politics (uncomfortable yawn), I got the call to end all calls. An offer of acceptance to medical school!! It was practically tortuous to go back to the classroom for another hour and ten minutes and sit still. But when five twenty came around, I leapt onto my bicycle and pedaled furiously to happy hour at Sazon. Two glasses of wine and a plate of flatbread and hummus later, I was still magnanimously (I know that's not the right way to use that word, but it feels like a good word to say here) happy and more than a little tipsy (cheap date).

It still feels surreal, and I'm not sure when it will actually sink in...but meanwhile I've noticed that my forehead and shoulders don't feel quite so tight. I put down my $1,000 deposit (one, sputter, fortieth of the sum I will pay this year, lather rinse and repeat for four years) with a surprising amount of glee, seeing how I really don't like to spend money unless the object will end up on my body or in my stomach. And even then I feel guilty.

Getting accepted feels like my crowning glory. I'm on my way! Next step: actually being a doctor!!

Not the best picture (or angle...), but the obligatory interview day photo!