I love to think of my kindergarten teacher Mrs. Wilson, she is this fabulous woman who is about 5 feet tall with a jolly build, a beaming smile, a sweater to match ever season, and quite possible might be a saint for the patience she bestows on her students. She not only has been enriching young minds for over 35 years, but better yet is still teaching at the same school I attended 20 years ago. She even has had the challenge of teaching the entire Pasko entourage Jill, Julie, and me. Yet, even as I embark on my 21 year of schooling, I believe Mrs. Wilson taught me some of the best life lessons I could have ever learned, "When all else fails go back to the basics." Thus, here I am again at the basics, the abc's. Yet, her great wisdom traverses farther than understanding the alphabet, abstract concepts, or even math, but it resonates in my daily life. I believe her plan all along was to prep us for the future, the busy work weeks, the unexpected spins, and to remind us that when all else fails you are never to old to go back to the basics. Thus, in an attempt to remind myself of the things that I love and that define me I have compiled a list of the abc's of me. I do have to apologize ahead of time because some letters deserve more attention, just think of it as a triple word score in scrabble.
A-
Airports- Not going to lie, the sheer volume of excitement and joy that is contained in one building makes me want to fly those friendly skies more often.
Anatomy- my favorite class so far in medical school. The body is this intricate masterpiece which is orchestrated together to produce a complex and beautifully synced creation. LOVE IT!
Anthropology- quite possibly one of my favorite stores on earth. Earthy,Eclectic, and stylishly unique.
B-
Brunch- need i say more
Boston- one of the most youthful, navigable, and delightfully historic cities. It has Jen-esque written all over it
Blogging- my cathartic outlet in my oh so studious life
Biggest Loser- No shame, my favorite TV show where I watch people lose entire people in 12 wks..hello inspiration
Coffee- Fact or fiction I drink 8 cups of coffee a day? Fact.
Dinners- I would have to say long-euro style dinners are one of the most perfect gifts on this earth. To relax with friends, laugh, and partake in a great wine over hours takes me to this place of effervescence and delight
Doctors- I actually am going to be one of them, but don't really like them at all
Elderly- I find so much beauty in a life fully lived. I love their lack of inhibition and wisdom. I love me some old people!
Fage- Ok so I am obsessed, I eat this every day with 2 splenda, cinnamon, and blueberries....
Fall- Quite possibly the most wonderful time of the year! I love the smell of decomposing leaves.
Farmer's Markets- my joy on Saturday morning from April -Dec is unobtainable as I see some of the most beautiful displays of fruits and vegetables.
Gorgeous- My favorite adjective on earth. There is something about the way that it rolls of my tongue.
Gardens-I wish i had one and didn't kill every plant i own.
Health- I love random health facts and ridiculous info about calories and nutrition
Intellect- is one of the sexiest and enduring traits i find in people
Independent- I might be one of the most independent people in the world...I honestly can't imagine what it is like to be dependent on another
Joy- Something I think we all should emanate wherever we go...Life is way to short to suppress this.
Kindness- is the universal language of love. Embrace it
Laughter- ok so I giggle like a third grader at recess. I laugh a lot, I mean a lot
La Croix- the most perfect zero calorie sparkling beverage out there
Maine- Lush, gorgeous, and beautiful memories
Marathons- my extracurricular activity....training for my 5th one in April
Newspapers- the rustic feel of the paper is enough to make you a believer. Plus love crosswords
Oatmeal- my soul food....My favorite dessert
Public Transportation- I hate cars! I can't wait to be able to use public transportation or walk to work everyday
Pendleton- my homeland
Quite possible the best friends ever! i have some truly gorgeous and wonderful friends who are beautiful inside and out....so great!
Rex and Cath- the wonderful parents of mine who constantly reveal to me what true love is. Also the most polar and hilarious couple you might ever meet
Style- I love fashion. It is a form of self-expression. It is ever changing a little like myself.
Travel- I love to travel here, there, and everywhere. I find it one of the most liberating experiences one can have.
Thanksgiving- my favorite holiday there is nothing like a Pasko-Butler family get together
Umbrellas- I hate rain so the only thing that make it better are my psychedelic rain boots and Mary Poppin's umbrella
Very lofty goals- Pet peeves of life-dreams don't stop when you go to college .....I have so many I want to write a book, own a coffee shop, own a mint green 1957 chevy truck with a big steering wheel ect, ect...
Wine- Water and wine the essential beverages. I love Red wine ......dry, earthy, and bold nothing better
X-citing adventures- I am kind of like Dora the Explorer....I am looking for side kicks!
Yoga- Finding my inner chi
Zest- Spice it up! Zest for life is what makes it worth living.
I happen to run into Mrs. Wilson at the Pendleton Public Library over Christmas break, we stood outside in the cold chatting it up about school, life, and other random minute. Mrs. Wilson, is just recently the proud owner of a new kidney, she had a transplant almost a year ago. She asked me multiple questions about school and how things were going. I told her I am doing what I always have wanted to do but described the struggles and frustration of 2nd year. She grabbed my arm in all seriousness, the kind of forceful grab you get in kindergarten when you have thrown a recess toy or picked your nose, and she looked me in the eye and said, " Wherever you go and whatever you do there will be someone out there who is better or smarter, but don't you ever let anyone love more deeply or be more compassionate than you. Its who you are." Even 20 years later Mrs. Wilson is driving home the basics. She is right, it is so easy to drift away from core of who we are in order to fulfill an instituted role in society. I had let the competitive nature and constant lure for success in medical school blind me. All I really need to do is go back to the basics kindness, love, and zest for life and remember that these are the things that should be motivating me daily.
In this next week I encourage you to stop and revisit the basics of who you are. Remember the defining characteristics that make you unique. Because in the busy hectic lives we lead it is so easy to get caught up in the moment and the task at hand. Yet, I believe we are never to old for a refresher course on the basics.........because once you have those down, everything else just seems to fall into place.
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3 comments:
Jen..loved this post. First of all, I'm convinced second year is one of the most frustrating years. It's so easy to get lost in massive information, constant competition, and then the looming Step 1...and loose track of yourself. Life is so much better after that year (in my opinion)because you start to add back in things that matter. I will always be a nerd of the basic sciences, but patients sure do make days fun.
I'm glad you took time out to just reflect on the things that matter to you. It made me stop and do the same. Hang in there and hold on tight to those things. It will pass quicker than you might think.
Rachel B.
I think I got in trouble for throwing sand in her class...remember those sand boxes? :P
Rachel thank you so much it is so reassuring to hear you say you experienced this too!
Justin...oh kindergarten of course I remember the sandboxes! So glad you are a loyal follower.
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