Here’s a look at some positives! Always a good thing to see the bright side!

• The MCAT is over!!! Also, the sun is shining today =]
• We have all survived the transition into a new year (and are hopefully all writing ’10 by now)
• 56 days until Spring quarter begins
• 98 days until St. Patrick’s day (just a fun fact)
• 104 days until the end of the school year (for semester people)
• 139 days until the end of the school year (for us quarter people)
• 122 days until applications are submitted to med school (June 1, 2010)

Much more to come now that the MCAT is over…. be prepared!!

• 67 days until the MCAT (January 29, 2010)
• 165 days until the end of the 2009-2010 school year (May 7, 2010)
• 190 days until applications are submitted to med school (June 1, 2010)
• 382 days until my neuroscience thesis is completed (December 10, 2010)
• 528 days until matriculation from BW (May 5, 2011)
• 574 days until the first day of medical school (June 20, 2011)
  • approximately 378 days if you do not count breaks (winter and summer)
  • approximately 240 days if you do not count weekends, or breaks for holidays
  • only 378 are actual days we are in class, but weekends are counted

I realize this may seem ridiculous and that I should ‘live in the moment’ or ‘not rush through life’, well as far as my undergraduate education is concerned, I am quite alright with rushing.  I have great friends, a supportive family, and have no need deal with the politics of my current undergraduate institution.

For those of you who desire some relevant countdowns, read on:

• 3 days until Thanksgiving
• 17 days until winter break (for those on semesters)
• 32 days until Christmas
• 63 days until 2010 (so long 2009)
• 98 days until St. Patrick’s day (just a fun fact)
• 165 days until the end of the school year

So yes, numbers are on my mind and driving me right now.  ~240 days of the insanity and politics of BW remaining… it will take a lot of coffee, chocolate, and time with my friends to get through this one.

Read the words that follow and perhaps read them aloud to yourself so that it may provide full effect:

This world has been overcome by complete and utter apathy.

It may appear that these words come across as pessimistic or perhaps despairing even, however, take a moment to critically think about this.  A series of questions has come to mind:

• How often do you come across a person who does something mediocre, at best, when you are fully aware of them being capable of so much more?
• How often do you see fellow classmates or coworkers not show up, or when they do, complain all the while?
• How frequently do you see those in positions of leadership or education not care whether they are instilling a sense of passion, curiosity and fervor for that which they are leading or teaching?

These are things that over time seem to only worsen.  Passion is devoid in careers, education, and even relationships.  We as a whole have lost sight of the importance of working hard instead of hardly working, and seeing the worthy product that can come from hard work.  The motivation has seemingly disappeared for many to delay instantaneous gratification for greater reward in the future, thereby further enhancing the lack of work ethic.

There are some who are still willing to work so very hard for that which they desire for the future, but these people aren’t always viewed as rational.  For the people who are truly working hard to achieve a goal, the comments grow more and more frequent about how unnecessary that hard work is, or even nonbelievers questioning why that person is putting themselves through any of it.  For those nonbelievers, SHAME ON YOU.  If you are devoid of the drive to make something better of yourself, and are just ‘following the plan’ not understanding why you are doing the things in your life, then who are you to say any of it to the people who are running from conformity of the world?  Whether a student, professional, teacher, minimum wage worker, or CEO, there is absolute necessity for you to have passion and excitement for something.

A life devoid of passion, of understanding, of caring and investment will be realized as an unfulfilling life further down the road.  Every single person needs something, anything at all, that they can have passion for.  That passion will feed one’s soul and give them the strength and understanding for much more in their lives than comprehensible.  Having something in your life that pushes you forward and gives you something positive to turn to, something healthy and motivational, is the cure to this awful rut of apathy our populace is falling into.  Find something to care about, something to get excited about, and it will reflect into the other facets of life.  If you are doing something that you aren’t passionate about and are just going through the motions, respect those around you who actually care about that work and remove your lackluster, melancholy, blasé, disinterested lives out of that situation.  Thank you.

What really makes those people our ‘friend’ though? What is so special about that particular person that differentiates them from the other 6+ billion people in this world?  Some may use this term loosely to refer to people that they talk to regularly or are in frequent contact that is more pleasurable than unappealing.  Others only refer to a person as a ‘friend’ if they fit certain qualifications, or have a certain relationship established.  If the line of being a ‘friend’ is so blurred, how do we know what someone is referring to when this term is used? If the actual definition of friend were searched in the dictionary, you would see something like this:

Main Entry: ¹friend

Pronunciation: \ˈfrend\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English frend, from Old English frēond; akin to Old High German friunt friend, Old English frēon to love, frēo free

1 a : one attached to another by affection or esteem b : acquaintance
2 a : one that is not hostile b : one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3 : one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4 : a favored companion

Even this is a vague definition.  Acquaintance is used synonymously with friend, and those belonging to the same group classify as a friend.  It is believed, apparently, that these are accepted definitions of friend. However, I would like to propose a different definition; a more true definition, if you will.

A friend can be many things, but all of those things relate to emotionality.  The happy feeling when given the opportunity to spend time with that person, the trust that they are there when you need someone, the desire to be there for them as well are all qualifications of a true friend.  A friend like this is the kind that may not be around for a while, but the second you are reunited it seems as if nothing has changed.  This relationship is one of support, comfort, silliness, trust, happiness, and is heartfelt.  True friends are ones that enter your life, and after a period of time you cannot even remember what it was like to not have them in every photo album, memorable story, and happy moment.

To find friends like these is difficult, I will be honest.  These are friends that are not sought out; instead, they pop into our lives when we do not realize it.  Relationships change and grow through the simplest of days, the most random of times.  If you are lucky enough to have someone in your life that is a true friend, be thankful for them and stay in touch with them.  Do not let distance or misunderstanding place a haze on the relationship, in contrast nurture that relationship and watch what happens.

I am blessed to have multiple true friends, and a few who are very good friends.  I cannot imagine my life without them, and have difficulty remembering life before them.  I worry that someday something may happen to one of us, and they will never know how I appreciate them and the impact they make on the lives of those around them.  If  you are still with me reading this, I am grateful and hope you read on.  Perhaps you will be mentioned in my recognition of the true, the ones who really stand out.  This is not to discount the value I have in my other good friends, but for the sake of brevity, only a few will be highlighted.

One of these true friends was the best birthday present a person could ever receive, and is someone I hope to always have in my life.  She is an incredible sister, daughter, and friend.  She is the kind of person anyone wants around, and you know she will always have your back if you need someone.  When with her, conversations don’t always need to take place because that unspoken communication says more than the English language can ever express.  The ability to just spend time with a person and not need to entertain or be entertained is so very rare.  She is my confidant, sister, and best friend I’ve ever had.

Another of these true friends, made his debut in the story at the most random of times, in the year 2008.  This was a year of transition and seeking for identity, for truth, for trust, and I do not know if he will ever know the impact he made simply by being himself.  He is the one everyone trusts, looks to for advice or wisdom, or sometimes just the affirmation that no matter what happens, you will not be alone in whatever your situation is.  He is the kind of person you can look at and see that is how a man is supposed to be, how men everywhere should be.  Priorities, morals, reactions, communication skills; they are all appropriate and admirable qualities you cannot just find or grow into.  This is part of the core of who he is, and that cannot be replicated, duplicated, or mirrored in this manner in anyone but him.  I am so grateful he has been in my life since our random meeting, and sincerely hope there will be much more time ahead to grow together, to learn, to make memories, and to just enjoy life.

A third friend of mine (please recognize that these are not in any particular order), came into my life at the same time as the aforementioned friend.  In fact, the reason I know this friend is because of the atypical behavior of the aforementioned.  This friend is someone who you know will always be loyal, trustworthy, and nonjudgmental.  He is someone you can come to about anything under the sun, and will still be supportive whether he agrees or not.  The most random of subjects can be discussed without wondering if he will think badly of you, and will always stay in touch.  Those texts or IM’s just to say hi make such a difference in a relationship, and his investment in his friends is something to commend.  He is a wonderful friend, a great addition to any situation or group, and someone everyone loves.  He is one of my best friends, and I hope this will remain the case all our lives.

A fourth friend, and the final one I will mention at this point in time, is one that I have known and been close to for a number of years.  We grew up together, discovered who we are together, and went through the ups and the downs of middle and high school with the other by our side, and now remain close in spite of the vast changes of lifestyle because of college.  Regardless of the time that passes between visits, it always feels as if I saw him the day before and nothing had changed.  He is someone who really is a true friend, and someone I know will be around (if not I would be really disappointed and sad!!).  This friend is the life of the party, brings the bright side to any dark situation.

These four mentioned are quintessential representations of how a ‘friend’ should, in my opinion, be defined.  They are all people who can be trusted beyond trust typical with anyone else.  These people are top of the line and are valued beyond belief.  I hope they know the impact they make on the lives of others, however, with their humility I doubt they will ever accept that fact.  We do not need to know 6 billion, or even 600 people and consider them all friends… all a person needs in life are a few that remind you that it only takes 1, or 4, to remind you that you’ll never be alone and will always have people in your life that care about you for who YOU are, and for everything you will become.

People like these come into our lives and friendships blossom in unexpected moments.  Give people a chance, get to know who they are, what they believe in, and what they are passionate about.  You never know what will arise from that one chance; you could end up with another person you cannot imagine life without!

The words of Thomas Jefferson always come to mind when I think about my friends when he said,

“But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine.”

     This entry is not one of those furtive representations of my life. Instead, I shall be blunt and speak directly from what is on my mind at this moment.  Sometimes, depending on the topic, it is preferred to make a reader really think; to help and guide them as they delve into the core of their thought processes–the height of their priorities.  The capability of facilitating such an investigation into one’s self is a wonderful opportunity, and the goal of many writers in existence today.  The other goal, to perhaps understand themselves a little better.  To investigate and question ourselves, society and the intentions of mankind goes back to the core of science and development.  Somehow we grow out of this eternally questioning attitude, this deep-rooted desire to understand absolutely everything. 

Now here is a question for you, my dear friend: do you really ever stop questioning that which surrounds you, or do you simply stop asking??

      I sincerely find it difficult to believe anyone truly stops questioning, but instead have the hunch that people simply stop asking those questions.  At a young age, we have the advantage of innocence; innocent to that which is impure, wrong or deceitful.  We learn by asking questions, whether big, small, serious or silly.  Those questions are how we know much of what we know today.  Where would we be if we never asked why as a child?  Well, let me just say we would be a very naive culture.  If it was seemingly expected for questions to be asked as a child, why is not more prevalent throughout our entire lives?

     Everyone knows that researchers and those enthralled with philosophy, sociology, or religion ask why on a daily basis, however, these queries asked usually come with an agenda.  Typically, a person asks a question with a particular answer in mind, but is it okay to simply ask without fear of it being a ‘dumb question’ or have an answer that was unexpected?

     It seems as if nowadays people are looked down upon for asking the simple questions, or even questioning those who have the illusion of power.  Instead of straight up asking the person to their face, they are forced to search by other means for an answer and many times this searching does not occur.  In other cases, the questions burning in someone’s heart  and taunting their mind are asked through more covert  means, such as in music.  If you were to go onto any lyrics database and search ‘why’, you will find thousands of results.  These songs are finally questions being asked, however, rarely answered.  Soothing melodies or riffs that feed our inner angst are only going to fuel our questioning, but still offer no relief to the desire for an answer.

     With so many questions, hardly being asked, and even fewer answered, what is a person to do?  Take those questions, yes, all of them, and lay them out on the line.  Ask them to someone who might know the answer without fear of it being a ‘dumb question’ or it not being worth someone’s time to answer.  My policy is, if you have the audacity to ask, I will have the courtesy to answer.  So ask your friends, professors, parents, random strangers, or even me.  See what kind of answers you will get to that which  plagues your heart and mind.