Since it's my birthday and I was feeling a bit nostalgic, I decided to write a little Birthday Blog Post highlighting just a few of the things I learned during my 22nd year on Earth...enjoy!
1. Being a doctor is NOT the only nor the best thing you can do after your Bachelor of Science (Hello research! and many other possibilities).
2. Life is so very short. So treasure every moment with the people you love because they could be gone before you know it.
3. Science doesn’t work on Fridays.
4. Best friends do exist (and they make your life a better place).
5. It’s okay to walk away from something that is no longer working.
6. It’s okay to tell your best friend that you’re having a breakdown.
7. Sometimes people you hardly knew a few months ago turn out to be the most important people in your life.
8. Grief is a long process (and that is perfectly okay).
9. People infected with both Ebola Virus and the malaria-causing Plasmodium parasite have a better chance of surviving the Ebola infection than someone not co-infected with malaria. (Insert here a list 400 times as long as this one with all the things I can tell you about Ebola, Hep C and shortnose sturgeon. #researchlife)
10. A night that begins and ends with vodka shots will not be pretty in the morning.
11. White Christmas lights make any room in an apartment better.
12. Always splurge on the nice hotel.
13. When your friends/cousins get married, make sure you have Kleenex on hand (*Cue me crying about the beautiful weddings I was in/went to this summer*)
(Adam Todd Photography)
14. Not getting into medical school DOES NOT make you a failure (cause sometimes you end up doing medical research instead).
15. Sometimes you need to talk to a professional.
16. Memories are important treasures – even when you sometimes wish you could forget them.
17. Never turn down a beach day.
18. When at the beach in the fog (see #17 for reasoning), always wear sunscreen.
19. Don’t be afraid to love yourself.
(Natalie Pequin Photography)
20. Don’t drink more than 4 cups of coffee in one morning.
21. Real friends love you no matter what decisions you make, how drunk you are, or how far away you are.
22. You can do absolutely ANYTHING you set your mind to.
Ps. In the words of Taylor Swift: I'm feelin' 22!
I head back to NB for the holidays tomorrow and I don't think I could be any more excited.
See you soon friends and family in Saint John!
H.