Here I am entering the beginning of my fourth trimester in the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program, and it’s good to be back to the old routine. Don’t get me wrong, it was great seeing family and friends over holiday break. But, being in class zooming around as a busy bee and working toward a big goal for myself is the most amazing feeling! During break, I felt like a lump on a log. Waking up and doing practically nothing other than being lazy, catching up on Netflix shows. Starting up classes and seeing familiar faces allows me to be back with my NUHS family while away from home. As students going through the same academic challenges, we are able to reflect and guide each other forward.

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”  ̶  Confucius. 

As I sit here at Barnes and Nobles studying, I am taking a bit of time to reflect on my life and the events of these past few weeks. Looking out the window as people are hustling and bustling, starting their holiday shopping, life seems a whirlwind of events that we are all robotically carrying out.

How would you feel if technology just went...BLOOP...gone!?

When anyone meets my mom, they tell me she is cute and sweet--which she does not understand. Eventually space and time will reveal true acceptance.

Yes, it can be such a whirlwind that you forget which day it is.

Have you ever wondered why a person smiles? For me it comes from the heart, and I believe a smile can help not only you, but others as well. Someone could be having a bad day, or just need someone else to give them a sign that everything is OK.

Well it has been a good busy time spiral for the first few weeks of this third trimester. With 21 credits as a full-time track student, it's a bit surreal! This is the trimester before starting as an associate intern where one can start seeing patients. Woohoo! Definitely exciting! People tend to say I am bubbly, full of energy, and that I say the most random things, but it eventually makes sense at the end.

Hello, awesome you! My name is Rina, and thank you for joining me on this journey as I pursue my degree for the Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM) program. I am currently in my third trimester at National University of Health Science on the Lombard campus. 

Translated from Latin: I came, I saw, I conquered!