"can't read my, can't read my, no he can't read my poker face"

last night was really fun. i had gotten an email from one of the first years living around the area. he sent a mass message to our class suggesting a meet up at salt hill pub. i walked over, and i must say that i have seriously taken walking on well lit streets for granted in new york. as well as the bustlin' nature of the city. it was completely quiet, completely dark. i will admit that the stars have never shone as brightly or beautifully as last night though. i could point out the big dipper a mile away. another thing i have taken for granted is the access to drinking water. hanover was established a long time ago, before lead was removed from the paint and piping. it's not super safe to just drink it out of the faucet as it is in the newer buildings of new york. sigh, thank goodness vi carried on that 24-pack of dasani in the car last minute. i also walked by a "surf taco, point pleasant beach, nj" bumper sticker which made my night. i arrived a few minutes late but earlier than most. i initially met mike, his friends from the area, jeff and julia. more people trickled in and i met illya, joe, derick, ken, lauren, edmund, and carrie. towards the end of the evening, i met a few other people but julia and i left since we were tired. it was nice to be driven, i may end up getting a car, but i don't like to depend on driving. living in new york for five years, i should be able to walk a mile to class. it takes 15-20 minutes and ensures that i walk at least two miles everyday. we'll see how my mentality changes as it gets colder...

today i met up with tom, my tour guide from my dms interview last december. we met up at the bookstore and walked to umbleby's for lunch. i had the artichoke pie with a cup of delicious coffee. we talked about the overwhelming nature of medical school and the adjustment required to succeed. tom also mentioned that people, out of their insecurity, will put on a front but so long as we all be nice - we will all get along. in the end, he emphasized that no matter what, it will all be ok. i am glad to hear that as long as i study and stay focused, i can still succeed despite having my peers graduating from yale or mit, traveling abroad in developing nations to improve the lives of so many, or majoring in biochemistry and other relevant topics when i... simply did not.  gulp, i'm nervous - orientation begins TOMORROW.