I just returned from a long walk on the trails of Overland Park. The sunlight glinting through the canopy of trees above, heat bathing the ground below, the bees humming dreamily about the blooms, and a drip of sweat from my brow = a happy Raquel. No impending papers, final exams, or lack of time off can change the solace nature fills within me. If you read Savannah's blog, you will understand me when I say that I will be the coffee bean.Ryan and I were fortunate enough to have some visitors this weekend, Tim and Cindy. We got our fair share of Blokus in, cooked steak out by the pool, and got to tour the botanical gardens in OP. It was a very nice weekend. The weather was sunny and in the low 80s every day so Ryan and I were happy they brought the WI weather with them. On Sunday morning, we went to Visitation Church in Kansas City and the priest told a story of a time when he was teaching some high school students and of one student in particular that was confrontational and never got his work done on time. The priest said he confronted the boy about his lack of work ethic and the boy told him, "man, you just need to Kbar." Kbar is apparently the new slang term for "kick back and relax". It helped remind me that no matter what stresses and responsibilities are thrown at you, sometimes all you need is to take a step back and K-bar. It was fitting for the weekend because that's exactly what we did, we K-barred :)
This week has also been one of transition. I sat in my last lecture at KCUMB on Tuesday. Half of my classmates are making their marks all over the country while the rest of us keep ground in Kansas City. It was a week of celebration as we are officially 3rd year medical students, but it was also a week of saying goodbye to friends we got so close to over the past two years. A bittersweet adieu. I will miss you guys! Pic below L to R: Alex, Ryan, me, Chris.
I had intended on presenting some of the major amendments proposed in new health care reform bill. However, I still do not have a firm grasp on the elements of it. It is difficult to research the contents and implications of the bill without getting bias, even from government websites. So, I'll just say I feel something needs to be done. We cannot keep living in a country where 40 million people are uninsured, that is just unacceptable. Is the plan Obama is proposing the panacea for health care in America? I don't think so. Does it have potential? Yes. Though there are some positive provisions in the current bill - including insurance for all and payment reform projects - the proposed legislation seems to miss the opportunity to help create higher-quality, more affordable health care for patients. We want health care access for all, but I don't think it should be at the expense of quality. I'm assuming most people don't want the hospitals and clinics to turn into a DMV-like system of care. It saddens me that the main argument supporters for and against the bill will argue surrounds issues of the almighty dollar. I personally feel greed is in control. I think both sides fail to wholly understand the other side, "fitting in the others' shoes" so to say. The ones who don't want the system to change have adequate health insurance, it's just a fact. I think about my little brother Joey and how the current system will fail him if for any reason he loses the insurance he is currently on. I will not accept that. Sorry for the political diversion and if I offend anyone by saying this. I have just been getting a lot of questions regarding it so I thought I'd throw it in. I am not opposed to criticism over my opinion.
I had intended on presenting some of the major amendments proposed in new health care reform bill. However, I still do not have a firm grasp on the elements of it. It is difficult to research the contents and implications of the bill without getting bias, even from government websites. So, I'll just say I feel something needs to be done. We cannot keep living in a country where 40 million people are uninsured, that is just unacceptable. Is the plan Obama is proposing the panacea for health care in America? I don't think so. Does it have potential? Yes. Though there are some positive provisions in the current bill - including insurance for all and payment reform projects - the proposed legislation seems to miss the opportunity to help create higher-quality, more affordable health care for patients. We want health care access for all, but I don't think it should be at the expense of quality. I'm assuming most people don't want the hospitals and clinics to turn into a DMV-like system of care. It saddens me that the main argument supporters for and against the bill will argue surrounds issues of the almighty dollar. I personally feel greed is in control. I think both sides fail to wholly understand the other side, "fitting in the others' shoes" so to say. The ones who don't want the system to change have adequate health insurance, it's just a fact. I think about my little brother Joey and how the current system will fail him if for any reason he loses the insurance he is currently on. I will not accept that. Sorry for the political diversion and if I offend anyone by saying this. I have just been getting a lot of questions regarding it so I thought I'd throw it in. I am not opposed to criticism over my opinion.
I'm starting rotations in a week and a half! I am anxious and nervous about it but at the same time excited. I just hope I know what I am doing. God bless everyone.
♥ Raquel
Listening to: "Let your Love Flow" by The Bellamy Brothers ♪
I don't have much to report on the weekend, I guess. There's something about Osakis that always refreshes me, though. Going home brings me back to the place where I had no cares in the World, everyone knows my name, and neighbors out for walks stop by when they see cars in the driveway. Maybe it has nothing to do with Osakis at all, but all the ones I love who are there. The only bad part about the weekend was getting sick towards the end, it made for an interesting ride home. I'm feeling better now but still not 100%.