Friday, the 12th of September was the big day; The White Coat Ceremony.  It's a tradition started in 1993 in the U.S. and is significant in that, besides being accepted to medical school, it is really the first real opened-armed welcome into the medical field.  It also serves as an invitation and call to excellence, passion and perseverance; the symbol of what we are all working for.

     I climbed the long hill to the Annex where the meeting was held and I had two things with me (besides my water bottle): the "little doc" (a Case brand knife with a blade and a Pharmacist tool for counting pills) that my Father gave me and a tie around my neck, given to me by my friend and mentor -Dr. Billings- before he died.  I wasn't carrying those things so much as talismans, but more as symbols from people who belive in me and as gifts to spur me on to strength, steadfastness and what I like to call, "putting down roots" (which is really just a way of saying commitment).  

     There were Dominican heads of state, including the Prime Minister, the entire Ross faculty, Dean of Students and the President of Ross there for the ceremony.  They seemed to take this ceremony seriously -as a call to us- as well as take pleasure in being there as well.  Maybe some of them were remembering their first days as med students.  There were speeches (some good, some funny, some awful), charges and even prayers throughout.  My favorite line was from the Invocation.  The Chief of Pathology was talking about the amazing design of the human body and all the processes that accompany us in this life -birth, death, sickness, sorrow, happiness, pleasure, even death- and the glory all of it gives to God, and the phrase he used to describe all of this (in his deep gravely voice) was: "The web of life."  I love that.

     Anyway, it was an honor to attend the ceremony.  It only served to sharpen my focus and engender an inward sense that this is where I am meant to be.  I am greatful.  

     In other news...the first week of medical school is over!  I can't believe how fast it went.  The routine I'm settling into goes something like this: 5:30am - run; 6-7 - read my Bible, pray and eat; 8-12 class; 12-1 lunch w/Bri; 1-6 study; 6-7 eat dinner w/Bri; 7-10 study.  Never in my life have I dedicated this much time to study.  Never have I enjoyed so much of what I'm looking at.  There are definitely times when I feel like I'm swimming in a Pacific sized ocean of information and that can be overwhelming.  And there are many times when I feel excited, energized and engaged.  Anatomy lab, in particular, has given me cause to worship.  The human body, in all its intricacies, inner-workings and cooperation leads me to awe.  I'm hooked.  Plain and simple.  I can't help but marvel at God's handiwork.  The sheer complexity is enough to inspire in my book.  

     I have started to make some connections with classmates too.  In the picture you'll see Vahe, Kyle, Dan and Josh.  They seem like good guys and good study partners.  Thank you for your prayers and support.  Keep them coming as things are only going to get busier.  Thanks for reading.

     John