As I was walking home from campus today I was reminded of all the things that I enjoy on a regular basis. I always wave to the groundskeeper lady, and ask her how her day was. I greet the security guards. I say hello to the lady who sells fruits, vegetables and bread. I sometimes stop at the other lady who sells fruits and veggies and buy some fruit or incense. I look up at Tomatoes and wave to anyone who happens to be eating on the balcony or drinking a Kubuli. I stop at the Ren Brothers house and play with the Ren brothers for a few minutes. They always ask me if we’re still going to the beach on Sunday, and I always tell them yes. I say hello to Ashton Alexander, the nice old gentleman with only a few teeth left who still works building apartments in the hot sun every day. I wave to my laundry man Augustus, and say hello to the ladies who work there, Sandra and Latoya. I stare at the beautiful sun as it sets against the palm and coconut trees. I stop and say hello to the construction workers who are building a huge apartment across from me and always listen to Reggae music very loudly.
And then I open my apartment door, and wait for my puppies to charge me and try to knock me down. They jump on me and lick me while I try to put on their leashes.
All these things make me smile. They happen every day. I guess it’s sort of comforting. I’m comforted knowing that people know who I am. They know that I will always wave and say hello. I feel secure knowing that the sun will always set, and that it will always bring me joy.
But then, as I enter into my apartment, I’m suddenly filled with sadness. I know that the next hours to come will involve me sitting in the same spot, studying the same way, using the same highlighters. My apartment didn’t get any cleaner while I was gone. The dishes still need to be done and I’ll have to prepare something for dinner. Most likely it will be one of the three dishes that I cook, or I’ll order from one of the same three restaurants.
It never really gets exciting. Usually the highlight of my evening is a cool picture from pathology or the occasional nice email from a friend.
But the monotony can be depressing. It makes me realize how boring my life really is most of the time.
However, take a look at the sunset above. That was from a few nights ago. How can I be depressed when there is beauty such as that all around me?
I think I need to remember the things that make me smile. Perhaps I can find comfort in the fact that some of the good things never change, and that I have the ability to change the things that really matter.
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Well, it’s Halloween today. Unfortunately, I won’t be partaking in any fun activities. I have a day full of studying for my upcoming exam, meetings, and listening to fake heart and lung sounds on fake men with leg amputations. The locals don’t celebrate Halloween on the island, but the kids who go to the day school on campus do. They’ll be looking all cute today in their costumes and walking around campus giving out candy. (Isn’t it sad that you have to GIVE candy to med students instead of getting it FROM them?) Anyway, I’m trying to keep my eye on the prize. Only 6 more days until my exam. And then I’m taking a well deserved break to visit a neighboring island. The pic above was taken on Halloween, 2005 in NYC. It’s me and my bestest bud Circus Boy, on his rooftop overlooking Chinatown. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.
My name is Kendra and I am a third-year medical student attending 
