“Body of Work-Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab,”So the title reads. This is one of the many books I have in my possession. A book written by Christine Monstross, and a gift from a man whom I’ve never met. It seems like a few years ago… well in fact it seems longer than that. I received a lottery ticket and this book in my ”business” PO BOX. I can’t make out his handwriting from his signature. All I can see is the message inscribed inside the book which read,

Amanda –
When I saw this book,
About a post writing about her medical school experiences, who do you think I thought of?
Hope you like it. And of course, hope you did well on your exams
signed, ( handwriting I cannot make out)

During that time, I was a young pre-med bound student who led a separate life. The life of a writer, web designer, and budding model. Back then, it was for my own enjoyment– the arts ignited this furnace in me. It kept my creative mind surging with energy, while the sciences kept me grounded and left me yearning for more. I opened up a separate mailing box for fans who could write letters to me, and it was all for fun. I received a few memorable letters that I still keep. This one however, takes the cake.

Life has a funny way of bringing things back up, to set you back on track. I won’t elaborate much on this, I’ll save it for another day and time. However, I never forgot that girl. That girl with high hopes to become the best neurologist out there. Needless to say, I am going to try my best to finish reading this book. Yes, I never quite read the book entirely.

A lot has happened since then. I manage my own nonprofit organization The Gem Project, write, and work as a community organizer with my women empowerment work shops I host in the city. I start school at UMDNJ this Fall 2010, I cannot wait. I’m in the graduate school of biomedical sciences, giving science a try once again. It’s been a while.

xoxo