Friday's Letters

Dear Charlie,  Today you are taking the biggest test in your medical school career, thus far (the Comp!), and you are going to knock 'em dead! You have studied so hard, plus you have your extra #2 pencils and scratch paper, so what more could you need?  I am so proud of you!  P.S. - Finish up soon so we can celebrate with a beach day and some cheap, local beer!

Dear Comp,  You don't scare us.  (Okay, I may be lying.)  Medical school stresses us out like crazy (even me, and I'm not even a student), but you can't get the best of us.  I get my husband back today at noon and am excited that you will be out of our lives, you big, bad, scary test, you.

Dear Dominica,  I love you and all, but could you cool it with the rain flies for a little while?  I am getting tired of sweeping the flies (dead and alive... and the wings they've shed) off of the porch (in the rain) before the ants start swarming them.  Seriously, it's gross.  Also, could it not rain all weekend?  We want to enjoy the weekend post-Comp.  Thanks a million!

Beach Games

As a med school student's wife, I don't get to spend a ton of time with my husband.  He studies non-stop all day long, with short breaks for lunch and dinner.  Honestly, before he started medical school, I didn't even know it was humanly possible for someone to study as much as Charlie and the other students here do!

Some of my favorite times in Dominica are when Charlie and I are able to spend time together after big tests, when we have the remainder of the day to spend together, stress and study free.  Usually, we visit the beach or the river, or go for a hike.  This week, we chose the beach and spent the afternoon sunning, swimming, reading, and napping, all while enjoying a cold beverage or two.  We even played a little Hunger Games...

The bow and arrow were obviously Charlie's handiwork.  Boys will always be boys, and it's amazing what they can throw together with some sticks, vines, and the help of a pocket knife!  Really, I was impressed.  The bow stretched back and shot arrows into the ocean and everything.  Well done, C Dubz!

In case you couldn't tell... we both love The Hunger Games!  I read all three books this time last year, and Charlie has finished books one and two. (He's saving book three to read in the airport and on the plane when he travels back to the states next week.)  Needless to say, we're dying to see the movie and can't wait to see it at some point!

Are you hooked on the Hunger Games yet?

Staying in Dominica!

A couple of days ago we found out some exciting news about our next step in our med school journey with Ross: we'll be staying here in Dominica for fifth (next) semester!

Charlie and I have loved living here since day one and have always talked about staying here for fifth semester.  The options were to move to Saginaw, Michigan, or Miramar, Florida for three months, or to stay in Dominica.  Because of all the moving we will have to do in the future depending on our placements for rotations and residency, we thought an extra semester here in Dominica sounded ideal - we could stay settled, enjoy an extra few months in beautiful Dominica, and Charlie will gain some extra hands on experience in the hospital here.  

During fifth semester, Charlie will go to Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau three to four days a week and work with the doctors there.  He will also be studying for the Step 1 USMLE (U.S. Medical Licensing Exam) during fifth semester, which he will hopefully take before mid-November.  This test is a big deal because it's what will be used to compare Charlie to U.S. medical students.

So here's what the next few months looks like for us:

• May to August: Fifth Semester in Dominica

• Mid-May: Take the COMP (huge test that's Ross's version of that USMLE)

• August to mid-November: Move back to the U.S. and study for the USMLE Step 1 

• Mid-November: take the Step 1

• Mid-November - ? : Wait for Step 1 scores and rotation placements

• After that: 2 years of rotation will begin.  We can apply to different programs and ideally, we would be able to stay in one area for most of those two years, but there could also be some moving involved.  We could really end up anywhere!

And that is as far into the future as we can see for now! 

10 Days In Dominica: Day 8

Does your spouse like it here?

Why, yes.  Yes he does.  Although Charlie spends most of his time studying, he loves the island and all the adventures it has to offer.  He loves all the hiking and swimming.  He's a beach guy at heart, so when he has the chance to enjoy Dominica, he feels right at home.  When he's not busy studying all of this...

He loves doing things like this...

And this...

And this...

I know Charlie is looking forward to spending more time enjoying the island {and some time with me!} after his test on Tuesday. We're planning for a fun afternoon together - an outdoor adventure of some sort, followed by a lobster dinner at Sunset Bay. Can't wait!!!