Build It Right

     Another month has gone by here in New Orleans, and now we have approximately twenty-eight days left until our last day in the program. To say that the time has flown by is an understatement. We finished our Medical Pharmacology course with a customized NBME Shelf Exam. Though the exam proved to be incredibly challenging, for most of us completing this was our proof to ourselves that we can actually succeed.

     As far as volunteering goes, this month I decided to do something far out of my comfort zone. I joined four other classmates (pictured below) for a Habitat for Humanity build that was in its most raw possible form. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that affords people that would not otherwise qualify for loans to become homeowners in exchange for 350 volunteer hours helping build other homes. Because these projects are fairly extensive and are all over the city, outside volunteers are also needed to finish each job. This project was easily one of the most challenging things I have ever done. From carrying heavy wooden beams to struggling to master the rhythm of hammering hundreds of nails in, the work we did tired us out quite a bit. My classmates had volunteered for other Habitat projects in the past, and one of them made the statement that the foundation (pictured below) was the most labor intensive part. His words resonated with me, especially as I heard our site leader describe what I only saw to be wood as the living room and bed room. I walked away from the build with a sore body, but a very full heart and activated mind.

     Lesson learned: Anything we seek to build in this life, be it a knowledge base, a business, a bank account, or a home, must be set on a firm foundation. While the small daily contributions may feel mundane and insignificant, the vision of where you'll soon be will propel you forward.

See you in April.

Hours Completed this Month: 8hrs

Total Hours Completed: 15.5hrs