Frankster

I sat there, one among sixty future residents in what they say, was one of the top 100 hospitals in the country.

I scanned the faces of my future colleagues, future allies, future rivals, future whatever. Who knows right? I still can't believe I was sitting there. I didn't exactly planned this when I was a kid. But here I am, excited and apprehensive, thankful and nauseated, running and sweating. We were a diverse group, some americans, some africans, some asians, but from what I've seen, all smart and all cool.

The doctors who would be training us were different from most of the doctors I knew back home. They were enthusiastic, idealistic and optimistic. No one had this air of "I'm better than you"... Maybe in the back of their minds (?)... if it were, definitely it was pushed back and wasn't upfront. Who could really say they are completely humble? It's the people who recognize their pride and work against it that really impresses me. I still remember some of the doctors back home, the ones that inspired me, were a lot similar to most of the doctors I've met here. I miss my sensei, but it was Doctor Go's lessons that ultimately prompted me to be the best doctor I could be. I wish I would not let sensei down. I wonder how he is doing?

I am glad that three of my colleagues are from UST. That gives me a chance to practice my Tagalog. Adjusting is no problem for me, as my relatives here, made sure, and is still making sure that I am taken cared of. I miss my family back home, and my dog frankie of course, but having relatives here makes everything easier. I don't know how i would do without tita susan, tita rose, tito rob, tito caloy, jus and jules, kuya reynard, kurt, camille, and hugh. (Of course you have heard of my other relatives in the west coast , who also makes sure that I am taken cared of... you know who you are...). The place where i live is near most of my co residents. I've made fast friends with some of them, and when i'm bored, i just go to their place and chill out.

And even though i find myself not in new york, i am beginning to love this place, of course probably not in the same way i love noo york. It's got a small city, but it is enough for me to be recognized and ask for "my usual cup of coffee", i could go to several lakes in the area and parks. Best thing ? We get free food in the hospital and they serve starbucks. I mean how great is that? Fantabulous.

You know that church I was talking about? I found it a couple of miles where I live. The preacher was funny and talked about the same thing God was dealing with me. The only downside is that i have to go through some sort of ghetto before getting there. But hey, Big J came for the lost. I remember him dining with what the local high society referred to as losers.

I got the car that I wanted. It was a great deal. I plan to buy that car at the end of three years. I know i know, it costs about a million pesos (huwhat? assuming 50 to 1 dollar) but it was a good deal and i got 150 thousand pesos off it. So again, Big J is rich and he is providing me with the means to pay for it. I'm lost without him. As he often says, my weakness is made perfect in his strength. It's a tight ride. You should see the wheels. I think I'll be calling him Frankster, after my dog, Frankie. I can't wait for Monty to meet him.

Anyways, i'm off to kalamazoo.

:)