It’s Friday night with nothing to do, and I haven’t posted in a long time, so I guess I can keep myself sane by updating my xanga.

So much has happened since the last post, there is no way I can possible update on everything, so I will do only the current stuff. Only one more semester to go so I can finally graduate; these 4 years have gone by a lot faster than high school. Maybe it’s that I have spent all the time studying, because it sure wasn’t all party and fun, that is for certain. I must say that I love Hopkins, and most of the people there. But I can say I won’t miss Baltimore, or Hopkins once I leave, but I sure will miss the married couple dinners, ice cream nights, basketball Sundays, and all the parties we have had. Also dancing, I’m almost positive that no one in my dance group even has a xanga, but I hope they have learned something, and can pass their knowledge to a significant other in years to come.

But now to more pressing matters like medical school. If I don’t get into any medical school, I’m so going to regret going to Hopkins, that I will never let myself down for that stupid mistake, which would probably be the most stupid mistake I’ll ever make in my life. It really frustrates me that everything is based on numbers, and unfortunately I fall short in many aspects when it comes to numbers: I’m not tall, I’m not rich, and I don’t have a high enough MCAT score. The only place where I excel when it comes to numbers is: my weight, and my GPA; and the former isn’t something to be to proud of. So I’m banking on my GPA to save my MCAT, but we shall see.

I don’t care where I get accepted into medical school, I just want to get into anywhere. I’m not fearing the interview process, if I ever get one, because I think that is where I can excel. It is like Darren says, words cannot fully describe Jose. There are no hand gestures I can write down on paper, it’s like I say my personality must be experienced. But I’m not going down without a fight, I am going to do a little hand waving, to see if I can get their attention that way, like a big SOS signal, that says look at me, I’m right here. The only other option I have is to apply out of the country, which would make my life a lot harder when I have to come back to the states and do my boards here, but oh well, I gotta do what I gotta do, and unfortunately I have usually had to take the longer, harder route to get things done.  

Anyways,  I’m back at home. There is no place like it. I just got back from the mall, and I have made the most interesting observation. When I walk any mall here, I can maybe pick a handful of women that aren’t acceptable, back in Baltimore, it’s a miracle if I can find a handful that are acceptable; and it can’t be HIV, because I have the same sight over there as I do here. So I guess that doesn’t make me to mad when I think to myself why I can’t find that many acceptable women at Hopkins. Therefore I have given up officially, I’m not taking any initiative, I don’t care who it is. Maybe my mother should have bought me that shirt—a skeleton, sitting on a lounge chair, that said, “Still waiting for the perfect one”.

Speaking of shirts, my sister bought me this nice green Gap long sleeve shirt and a nice pair of jeans, I’m all the way up to 3 pairs now. She is making me more metrosexual now, I’m slowly getting into fashion. Although I love Miami, and I call it home, it really doesn’t feel like it, because I have very few friends here, just a handful that I still talk to, because all my high school friends I have grown apart from; another reason why I’m doing absolutely nothing on a Friday night. I should have just gone to freaking UM, slept through half the classes, had time to study for the MCAT, most likely found a nice girlfriend, and I would have had the same chance of getting into medical school as I do coming from Hopkins apparently. But anyways, to end on a happy note, I just saw a really nice shirt at the mall, although they didn’t have my size, that I’m definitely going to buy once they do, it said “I’m smart, I’m sexy, and I’m Cuban, doesn’t get any better than that.”

P.S. Below are some pictures from Christmas eve, now you will all know what una caja china (chinese box) looks like, and how we cook a complete pig for the 24th. Enjoy

Chinese Box

(caja china)

Begining product

about to shut the lid on it

It's getting hot up in here

<img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/josie4884/IMG_1986.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

final product

<img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a10/josie4884/IMG_1993.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

final product

So it is 12:46 A.M. I have been up since 9 am, driven over 150 miles, and today has been so exciting, and thrilling that I know I can’t go to sleep, so I’ll be productive and write this update.

            Let me begin with this weekend. That is when all the weird, yet exciting things began. We left to Naples on Friday afternoon. We got there around 2. At 4 my mother’s uncle from NY, calls us that he is in Naples also, and we told him, guess what we are here too. Mind you we didn’t have the faintest idea he was coming. So then my mother’s uncle’s son, that lives in Miami also, went to Naples to visit. And we knew that my mother’s cousin, shytes and giggles like I prefer to call her children and my aunt were going to go to Naples also. We would have never been able to have planned a family get together in Miami, but by pure luck we were able to get a whole bunch of people united over 140 miles from Miami, and 1300 miles from New York, in a place none of us reside. My father made a big BBQ at the hotel on the 3^rd, because that was when all of us could get together, so that was nice. It was shytes and giggles first time ever in their life staying at a hotel. A little background story. This is a couple with five year old twins, and an 18 year old son. They came from Cuba a year and a half ago. In Cuba they weren’t allowed to stay in hotels, and here they hadn’t ever taken a vacation, so this was their first vacation. They saw a professional fireworks show on the beach at Naples, that they were absolutely amazed about. We went to the beach and go a lot of sun. I received a sun burn on my scalp, because my hair is so short. First time ever that has ever happened, it is painful to sleep now. Well that kinda raps up the weekend, and takes me to what now is yesterday.

            So we left Naples at 11:30. My father wanted to leave earlier, because the dealer finally called and told him that his car finally arrived. So we got to the dealer at 1. His car was there, a beautiful, white Toyota Tundra. So we started the paper works. Got the purchase order, had to go to the credit union to get the draft, and while we waited for the draft to be made, we ate at cracker barrel in 30 minutes flat, because we were starving, and we had to be at the credit union at 4 before it closed. Got the draft, went back to the dealer, and got the keys to the truck. My father was happy. That was new car number one. My older cousin was talking to my father when they were in Naples, that she wanted to get a new car also, a Volvo S40. So my father called her, and had her meet us at the car dealership and after we finished with my fathers car, we went to the Volvo dealer next door to work on her car. They didn’t have the base car she wanted, but they had one with a few more amenities, but we thought it would have been a little too expensive for her. But given that the 2006 were out, the 2005 had a $1500 incentive, so that helped, and we worked on the car. But her case was a little more difficult for my father—the car salesman beware—tactics, because she had her old car as a trade in. So they were giving us a good deal on their car, but they wouldn’t give anything for my cousins car. So my father hassled and hassled with the guy, and we got to the point that my father said give me $6350 for her car, and the manager said he would only give $6100. So my father pulled a little stunt, and said, let’s flip a coin and you call it. Well the manager said since the car was for my cousin to have her call it. She was so nervous, she didn’t know what to do. So my father took a quarter out, flipped it, she called it in the air, “heads”, the quarter fell to the ground ,started spinning, everyone was just standing over it to see what it would fall in, and after spinning for what seemed a minute, it landed; heads!!! We all cheered, by we, I mean my father, cousin, sister, mother and I. I don’t think that the manager has ever lost $250 on a coin toss selling a car before, but I must say it was a damm exciting moment. So my cousin got her car also. A white Vovle S40.  A cute little car, I  am sure she will enjoy a lot. I guess this weekend/week, was a car buying one, because my godmother bought herself a new Yukon XL, after she wanted to upgrade from her Toyota celica because of the baby, my sister and I godson. And another friend bought herself the Acura TSX, which is also a very cute mid-size car, with the coolest voice activated navigation system in the market right now.

            Anyways back to finishing up my day, we didn’t get home till 9:30. Then out of no where, I got a call from a very dear friend, to go to Dave & Busters. Well I guess you can say I might have something for this certain friend, so of course I took her up on the offer. Took a speed shower, got dressed, and went to D&B for the first time ever. It was fun; I learned though that I shouldn’t become a semi-truck driver, if it is anything even close to the arcade version. Well if you got this far, I hope you can feel the excitement I have had these past couple of days. I’m sure you have interesting fourth of July stories I want to hear about. I guess i should try to get some sleep now, hoping that the excitment doesn't waste away to quick.

Here is an update from Miami, per someone’s request. I guess I should start with it looks very promising that I might become a chef. I did worse on my MCAT’s, yeah I’m retarded, I know. I got a 25 now, so looks like I’m going to have to do this the hard way, kinda the same way I got into Hopkins with a 1260 SAT. (I will reframe from using smiles, although I am very tempted to put them in) Therefore I have been a little lazy with filling out my Hopkins pre med questionnaire, and the AMCAS application online. But I know I want to become a doctor, so I just gotta suck it up, and hopefully I get an interview and I will be able to show my passion that way.

            Things I have done since leaving Hopkins: Went to Disney world for my sister’s birthday on Memorial day weekend, and also because our godson had a Sunburst competition there. Beyond our wildest imagination he won the competition for the cutest two year old boy in the state of Florida, I guess he takes after his godfather. Supposedly he has to compete in Atlanta now for nationals. Don’t know if we are going for that one. But Disney was fun. To short, because of the pageant, but it is a magical place. I wanted to go to Sea World which I haven’t been to in ages, and to Animal Kingdom, which I have never been to. Maybe I’ll go at the end of summer, if I can find someone to go with. Speaking of that, I am NOT pimping anyone. I don’t have a girlfriend, and will most likely continue my life waiting for the perfect one. I applied to the children’s hospital that I worked for last year, but they haven’t called me back, so that doesn’t look to promising either. So I have mainly being doing things around the house, and doing stuff for my grandmother. I read Angels and Demons, which I recommend to anyone, I personally liked it more than The DaVince Code, but both books are a must read. I have been pretty bored since I finished reading the book, with nothing much to do, so I actually learned how to play Gin Rummy the other day, my sister taught me. It was fun times, I don’t think we have laughed that hard at me in a long time. I had Gin, and I didn’t call it. Hey I didn’t know how to play. But now that I know the rules, i’m getting better at it.

            Movie wise I saw Bewitched. It was good, I think Kidman did a great job, but I didn’t like Ferrell to much. I also rented Hitch, and saw that for the first time. I watched it with paper and pencil in hand, taking as many notes as possible, any little bit helps right now. YES even corny movies! I also saw Shall we Dance which was excellent, Taxi was funny, Spanglish was good, and Mean Girls was hot. Yeah I guess you can say I have turned into a vegetable, which I kinda hate it.

            So future plans include going to Naples Florida, not Italy, for July 4^th weekend. Coming back, and hopefully my father gets his truck, which we have gone on a mission and a half to buy. He was worse than a two year old, when they enter toys R Us and don’t know what toy to buy because they don’t know what they like. He finally opted for the Tundra, I approved. If Miami Children’s hasn’t called me for a job, I guess I’ll try a volunteering position, although my father would prefer for me to earn money, but I think the experience would be invaluable. Maybe I’ll get a small part time job as a waiter, or something that I won’t be bored doing. Gotta finish organizing my room, hopefully I  finally get the shelves and book case I asked to be made. And I have to finish my grandmother’s house front landscaping that she wants to put some trees and new dirt and mulch. Maybe a girl will fall in somewhere in there, maybe the beach here and there, but  first I gotta make dough, or find myself a sugga mama. Ha ha j/k. Oh yeah, forget to add the med school application process. I must complete that. Well that’s it, looks like it is going to rain again, just like it has been raining every afternoon for the past two weeks. I’m just glad it isn’t cold Baltimore rain, and it usually gets really nice outside once it stops raining. Everyone have a wonderful 4^th of July, no matter where you spend it, and until next time, take care of yourselves, and each other.     

As promised, here is the posting after the MCAT. I guess I can start with saying that it didn’t go as bad as the first time. I feel a lot more confident, and better this time, but I guess I’ll know for sure in two months. If not Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, or South America here I come, if not then Johnson and Wales culinary school it is. I’ll be content with any of the three outcomes, either way I am sure to be beneficial to society . But what I really would like to post about is my 21^st birthday party. To describe it in one word I must say it was unforgettable. So why was it unforgettable…

            I knew that the electricity was going out that night at 12, but of course nothing ever goes to plan, and BGE decided to give me a birthday present by cutting the electricity at 6:30. Thanks that we have gas stoves, and we were able to finish cooking. I must thank all my friends that pulled together and we able to get things done, I definitely could not have done it without all of you, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. So the food was finished an hour and a half behind schedule, but we finally got to eat under candle light dinner, it couldn’t have been more romantic . Then we played Jeopardy, being that it is my favorite game show  . I was pretty buzzed by this time, so I must say I was not the sharpest tool in the shed. But it was very well thought out, and there was a lot of effort put into it, and I think that it was that much more fun without electronic devices, adding more commotion and bickering, most from me I must say. And I will never forget that my wonderful Panda’s name is Ding A ling ling. Then in keeping with making the birthday absolutely amazing, my birthday present from the group was nothing other then the blend of two things I truly love, cooking and ice cream. I received an ice cream, sorbet maker that I must put to use soon, but I am waiting for Sunshine to help me. Speaking of Sunshine, her present was very cute, and witty, hey she’s right, I have been shaking it since 1984, thank you very much. And then saving the best for last, I most thank my two friends, and sister that flew in. Marc, my partner in crime, I hope you now feel my pain about Hopkins, no place like Miami . Jackie, luz de mis ojos, I don’t know how I could ever repay you for coming, nothing you could have given me could have ever replaced your presence, and I am so happy you were here to spend it with me. Ritica, my favorite sister, it is gestures like this that show me how much more you love me every day, and how dumb we were to fight so much when we were young. I love you so much. Oh I can’t forget to thank you for finally fucking me up on my birthday, hey what are sisters for. And all of this and more made, is what made that weekend one that I will NEVER forget.     

            There are 4 more weeks of school left, and although I have 2 papers, and a presentation to do, all that I can think about, and that is keeping me going is looking forward to this summer back home. A combination I love, home, friends, and summer.

Happy New Year everyone. I wish everyone nothing but the best in this New Year, with much prosperity and love.

            Wanting to leave the past behind, I will only write about what has occurred since the New Year. This year was kinda awkward, since we did not welcome the New Year as the usual family reunion. My father opted instead to take up one of our family friends offer and bring in the New Year at the Keys, just us four. It was absolutely beautiful. They have a nice house that over looks the ocean, with an amazing view, that is so peaceful and tranquil. Just what we all needed, and a wonderful way to start the year.

I did come out of my little shell and a tried more alcoholic beverages, since the owners of the house liked making drinks before dinner. I tried a cosmopolitan, red and white wine, champagne, and mojitoes. Not all in one day though. After many shaking of heads after not so pleasing tastes, and then more appetizing tastes, the mojito won the top of the list. It is kinda like a lemonade, with rum, and mint. Another thing was all the food I ate over there. We had seafood everyday, something that I unfortunately don’t eat a lot of. To welcome in the new year we made a paella that was absolutely amazing. Chicken legs, scallops, grouper fillet, shrimp, clams, crab claws, and lobster tail, it was super scrumptious.

I also started reading The Da Vinci Code, since I want to improve my reading skills. I am currently a little less than half way through the book, and it is really good. Very interesting, and insightful. The day before leaving we went to Key West, we had some famous conche fritters, and walked around the pier. It was funny in that I meet someone from Hopkins there. More than a thousand miles away, if we would have planned to meet, we wouldn’t have found each other, but oh well I guess this is one of those coincidences of life. The hardest part was leaving this peaceful and tranquil location, but all good things must come to an end unfortunately. But it definitely made more solid my dream of one day being able to own a house in the keys.

            Finally I started two projects at home. Our bathroom vanity needed painting, so I took it off, sanded it and I’m currently in the process of painting it so that it looks better than new. And the other, that is going to start soon, is painting my room. It needs a major overhaul. I already let my father know I need a few shelves, and a bookshelf. I want to try to take stuff off my dressers and put them on shelves. Lets see how my interior decorating skillz come out. I am going to try my hand at two tone painting, lets see how that looks. All I know is that it will be better than what I have now. Also today I went to the eye doctor, and i am getting closer to being legally blind, the headaches confirmed my deteriorating eye sight. Well that is all my rambling for now. Oh the most important thing, my new years resolution. I want to write it down here, so that people can remind me when I am not doing it. I MUST study for my MCAT. From now until Mid of April, I must learn enough bullshit information so that I don’t have to try my luck with culinary school, or nursing school. After April, I’ll come up with another resolution, but that is my only big one until then. Best wishes this year in all your endeavors. And may all your dreams become reality.