By far the most interesting things I have learned so far is pulse diagnosis. Did you know that there are more than 25 standard pulse types in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)? Ultimately the pulse reveals how well the patient’s blood and Qi are flowing through their meridians. It is said that it takes decades to reach the level of a master pulse diagnostician.

It’s been a challenging few weeks, to say the least. The media coverage on Covid-19 is non-stop, and the ultimate sins of American history are responsible for the volatile state of affairs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the seven emotions are joy, anger, grief, worry, pensiveness, fear and fright, and each emotion is associated with a particular organ. Under normal conditions, these normal human reactions do not cause disease; however, excessive emotional activity can lead to severe energy imbalances, blockages, and even impaired organ function.

During these new global circumstances, being a student has become more complicated, no more study groups in the library and no more late-night runs to Starbucks (at least for now). Like many others around the world, I’ve had to transition my living space into a classroom, study hall and testing center in a short amount of time.

Namaste means that whatever is precious and beautiful in me, honors whatever is precious and beautiful in you. I never liked goodbyes, that’s why I never say them. Bye (pronounced “bai”) in my language actually means "rice". As you know me by now, I am a goof. I make jokes about everything or always add some humor, but there is a reason for all my quirks. I am always known as "that woman with a smile".

March 20, 2020 was the date quarantine started. I remember not many people were aware of how serious this situation was; and I am one of the guilty. I have been exposed to so many things working in the health care field for more than a decade, all the handwashing was normal hygiene that we had to do. What caught my attention was how it affected the elderly; namely, my mom.

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.” - Mark Twain

Did you know that no two snowflakes alike? Snowflakes are made up of so many molecules it's unlikely any two are even exactly the same size. Each snowflake is exposed to slightly different conditions, so that even if you started with two identical crystals they wouldn't be the same by the time they reached the surface.

Are you taking precautions? This season many people are getting sick. A few weeks ago, I felt like I was hit by a truck. Joint pain, coughs, fevers, alternating chills and fever, no appetite, lethargic. So, I made my way to a convenient care site and was swabbed positive with the flu.

Life is like a roller coaster of ups and downs. First, it goes up climb-by-climb, step-by-step and just at the peak of the ride, you can look at it two ways: we either free fall and enjoy the ride, or hang on for dear life!

As I walk on campus making footprints in the snow, I look around and notice that
it will be the last of my winters at National before spring trimester and graduation.
My prints will melt when the weather turns nice, but I know I made pretty good memories for myself, and many will remember who I am. I am still amazed that in three more months I will be graduating from National! It is a school that has grown to be my second home…with professors and peers alike who turned into love/hate relationships. (Come on, we can be honest that we do have that in our own household)! There are ups and there are downs, but coming to a school that you have become accustomed to--and one day won’t be coming back to--to sit in class or see patients anymore--is a stark realization.