Happiest Place On Earth

Posted on by insecuritease

            We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. Most of the people I know have gone off to college, to cities you always see on screens, and to the beach—but my path, fortunately, led to Disneyland. I’ve never been much of a Disney fanatic but there was certainly something magical about the place. I actually felt like I was reliving my childhood again. I felt like I teleported to a sublime fantasy world, just like Sharkboy & Lavagirl or Charlie in his Chocolate Factory. As I ventured into Buena Vista St. (I went to Disneyland Adventure Park first), a new sense of wonder and curiosity settled into me and I wanted to explore and try everything. And so I did.

Bug’s Land was cutesy and whimsical but in a way that made you wish you were young enough to enjoy it. I really dislike bugs, bugs can go to hell I wasn’t digging it though. The rides were more suitable for younger kids, and my inner Scorpio was cringing. Hollywood Land was very scenic and cinematic; it was totally made for movie screens. The picturesque streets were lined with splendid palm trees, old classic buildings, & super expensive lovely shops left and right. Trolleys traveled up and down the alley, looking like the familiar San Francisco streetcars. Animation Academy was an interactive drawing experience for beginners to learn how to draw a Disney character. (Our assigned drawing for the day was Perry the Platypus/Agent P, but mine bore a faint resemblance to Donald Trump). The Tower of Terror was a stomach-lurching ride, featuring an original storyline and a spooky theme. The setting was altered to look like a haunted hotel albeit the porters in ordinary uniforms. The eerie decor, uncanny aura, and the psychedelic visuals really added more to the ‘wow’ factor of one of the tallest attractions in Disneyland. Once I was on the ride, screaming became instinctive; after all, the Tower of Terror really did live up to its name. It is definitely a must ride, perhaps even a must ride again.

Although the Tower of Terror was quite suspenseful, it wasn’t nearly as frightening as California Screamin’. As I entered Paradise Pier, I immediately noticed the hyper sonic roller coaster and its passengers’ shrieks echoing off in the distance as the ride hastened its speed.  I can’t believe I actually had the audacity to do it  (I was beyond scared straight). Me and my seatmate closed our eyes for the entire duration of the big dreadful coaster. I felt as if my heart took off and went on a roller coaster ride of its own and to calm myself down, I tried to conquer my fear of heights by smiling. It worked for what felt like a heartbeat and then I was back to feeling a heightening sense of terror, anxiety, and anticipation that typically comes moments before a roller coaster plunges into a steep descent. It was a very odd sensation, to be overwhelmed by both thrill and fear. After the loop, I had an epiphany and realized that my fear of heights may have been entirely something else. I realized that maybe it wasn’t being on top that terrified me, it was the fear of my subconscious’s instinct to jump. The fear of heights is the fear of ambiguity–the fear of failing to be able to make a choice.

Prep Position

Posted on by insecuritease

After many weeks of deliberation, I have decided that *drum roll please* I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR–and not just any doctor, but I’m leaning more towards neurosurgeon and internal medicine. It’s fascinating, it literally is what’s on the inside that counts. I realized that my passions lead to either making a living by flirting with danger & possibly dying, OR saving lives and contributing to society (a more realistic approach). I think I’ve made a wise decision, after all, I’m one of the people who are crazy enough to even consider a job which requires you to at least die a couple of times trying to survive med school and cut people open. As of right now, my brain is trying to rack up answers to all of the unanswered questions and doubts I’ve accumulated in the back of my head. Gah. I will not rest until I have spoken to all my doctor friends. I am not the same negligent, negative, and careless girl that I was in high school. I am forever  thankful to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named for taking the time to help me overcome myself.

I will be attending my safe school for now in less than three weeks, but I’m planning on transferring to a top-tier university next year. This will help me to get some exposure to the upper-level math and sciences which I will encounter no matter where I go. However, I will be going back to the PI to study because I live in a world wherein quantity overpowers quality (or so it seems). By the time I graduate in the US, I will have at least $500,000 worth of debt, whereas in the PI, I’ll be debt-free.

Note to Self:

Regardless of where you go to premed and med school, medicine is a very difficult journey. You will be a good doctor no matter where you go to school if you work hard enough. You will work with doctors/residents who have been trained and the US and you will work with doctors/residents who have been trained in the PI. Listening to your patients and providing them with proper healthcare is what matters, not where your MD is from. Study hard, work harder, learn the practice of medicine, and learn to be more open to new things in life.