What a year! In these 365 days, I moved all the way across the country, began medical school (which was a moment I had been waiting for my entire life), learned a ton, and made countless amazing memories. Since this year is closing out, I thought I'd do a little reflection post by sharing some of my favorite moments/memories from this year. 

♢Traveled to Hawaii for the First Time

In April, I had the chance to travel to Hawaii and I was so excited! After an 11 hour flight from NY, we arrived in Kihei, Maui, where we stayed in a low key condo complex close to the beach! It was such an amazing and restorative vacation. We went to the Old Lahaina Luau, snorkeled with sea turtles, watched surfers (I chickened out of getting a lesson! lol), traveled to the 10,023 feet above sea level to the peak of the Haleakalā volcano at sunrise, drove the Road to Hana, and so much more. I really hope to visit again sometime soon. If you'd like to see more pictures from the trip, I shared a photo journal here!

♢Finished AmeriCorps
I spent my gap year as a health educator in a Community HealthCorps at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). I don't want to rehash too much of what was in my post about the whole year, but I still look back at the experience as one of the highlights of my life. For one, I couldn't have had a better group of coworkers to spend Team Fridays, Galentine's Day, and evenings devouring Lucy's Pizza with. I also miss teaching everyday and forming such special bonds with my students. I hope to get back to teaching in some capacity in the future!

♢Moved Across The Country 


In early July, I got on a plane with two suitcases and took a one way flight to California! It was just as nerve wracking as it was exciting. Prior to my interview at this medical school, I had never even been to Cali. I grew up in NY and went to college there too, so I had never been that far from my family either. The transition was much smoother than I thought it would be and I settled in very quickly! Somehow, I made a blog post about this too LOL, so check it out here.

♢Started Medical School

I'm sure you're probably tired of hearing about this by now! It's been 5 months now and I still feel like I am living the dream. Each and every day, I am amazed by just how much there is to learn about the human body, I am eager to take it all in and excited that I get to keep learning for my whole life, I am inspired by the people I am learning from, whether they be my professors or my classmates, and I am thankful that I get to make this commitment and pursue this profession. Of course, there are challenging days and days where I'm not as motivated to study, but its never been something a FaceTime call home or a little dose of #treatyoself couldn't fix! Here's to being a 12.5% MD! 


♢Firsts
-first "grown up" blog ;)
-first galentine's day
-first time at smorgasburg in brooklyn
-first time traveling to hawaii
-first time moving to a different state
-first stethoscope (caribbean blue Littman Cardiology IV!)
-first (and second) white coat (x)
-first time on the beach in Cali
-first time seeing the Hollywood Walk of Fame
-first time taking someone's blood
-first time in anatomy lab
-first time doing a skin biopsy
-first time interacting with a standardized patient
-first time performing a physical exam

In the short 8 months since starting Purely Positivitea, I have met some of the most incredible people through social media and had some pretty cool opportunities. I want to thank you for following along and letting me get to know you. It has truly been a gift! 2016 was one for the books, but I'm sure that the best is yet to come in 2017! Happy New Year's Eve everyone♡