A vacation

It isn't very often that you get a break from your real life, even in St Thomas. Living here, I still have the chores of daily living. Even sunny, 85 degree days and white sandy beaches can become part of a routine...a wonderful, wonderful routine.

Last week, I FINALLY got a vacation. My sister and 5 of her friends (Arianne, Kathy, Felicia, Lisa, and Courtney) came for a visit.








The seven of us stayed in my one bedroom apartment. We crammed 5 blowup mattresses into my bedroom, shared a bathroom and we claimed corners for our stuff. It was our own hostel.























We spent the majority of our days at visiting different beaches

Magen's Bay

St. John/Little Maho Bay

Just some guy and a hermit crab fort.

Coki Beach



























Secret Harbor

















Sapphire Beach















Smith Bay

In the evenings we explored the restaurants on St Thomas. I learned that although there is a lot of really crappy food here, there are some good places to eat too.

























Of course, Leena and I decided that the most fun thing we could do on our vacation is to go for an 8 mile run, at the crack'a dawn, uphill. We climbed 1000 feet in 5 miles. We pretty much kick ass.

8 "tuff" miles























It was a seriously awesome week!

Haiti

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to go to Haiti and assist with the relief efforts that are going on there. After three night shift on St Thomas, my friend Meg and I hopped onto a small plane and flew to Port au Prince. We travelled to a hospital on the outskirts of the city and went right to work. For the next 4 days we worked 20 hour shifts and struggled to find time to sleep or eat. The need was so great and the experience was so incredible. We returned dirty and exhausted, but grateful for our time there.

I am sure now, more than ever that this is the kind of work that I want to do.

Arriving in Haiti

Holding an MRE that the cute French team gave us...the French MREs were so much better!

Meg using her mad French skills

Meg getting ready to deliver...5 hrs later. Notice her makeshift cover. That is right friends, they are disposable pants.

This is a baby we delivered

This was one of my favorite patients. She ended needing a c/section, but we were able to bond while she was in labor. She delivered a healthy baby girl.

There were so many supplies. It was amazing to see all the donations lining the hallways.

This photo doesn't begin to show the exhaustion.

This is the triage area. Before arriving, this courtyard was used as an OR

AMY!!

This week was so incredibly fun. Amy, one of my best friends from college came out to visit me in the Virgin Islands. That's right, fools. She escaped the terrible winter weather to enjoy the sun. How smart is she?


While she was here, we enjoyed:

The islands...











the sun,















the adventure,











the ride,















the views...















and the Ting.

(a view from my balcony at sunrise)