It’s that time of the year when I sit and reflect on the year – the highlights, the lessons learned, the challenges, and the celebratory moments. To do this, I use my journal and scan through the many months of writing, laughing, “oOoo’ing” and “Awww’ing” all through the exercise. It is in this moment I realize how much I accomplished this year, the lessons learned along the way, and how much of an impact certain events had on my life. In the beginning of 2014, I sought to embody my church’s theme for the year: “2014: Year of Greater.” Below is an excerpt from my January 2nd, 2014 journal entry:
“Words can’t begin to describe how excited I am for this year. Like forreal. This is my year of greater favor, greater blessings, greater miracles. I mean God is seriously about to work in my life.“
And God did work. In a mighty way.
Here are a just few highlights from the year:
January
I launched my fitness instagram: @fitandfine_withdee which promotes fitness, health, and nutrition.
February
I created my Afrobeat cardio video which now has 6000+ views on YouTube. Never would have thought!
March
I felt extremely overwhelmed and exhausted working full-time and taking classes in the evening. Taking Immunobiology may not have been the smartest idea.
I also joined my church choir 😀
April
I felt exhausted for most of the month. A lot of late nights, not much sleep. I was working 40 hour weeks and taking two classes in the evenings (I also took Biochemistry during my gap year by the way). My plan was to take advantage of the tuition benefit at my job – taking up to 2 classes for free. Lesson learned for those thinking of working full-time and taking classes to boost your med school application: I should have stuck with one.
May
Traveled to Chicago for a friend’s wedding. Awesome time!
June
Started blogging again! Turned in my med school application (AMCAS) early – oh yeaaa!!
Led a month long boot camp as an instructor for SweatU
Also published my first med student spotlight. It was on Naya, a second year med student. The post received a lot of positive feedback and has become the second highest viewed post on my blog at 548 views (as of today).
My cousin visited me from South Africa – awesome time!
July
Wrote a lot of secondaries for med schools
Got my braces installed – I am now team metal mouth 😛
Competed in my second Spartan Obstacle race
August
Took my MCAT again – no more!
Taught my first college seminar (preceptorial): “Say NO to the Freshman 15!“
September
Invited to be a campaign manager for Memunatu Magazine’s Indiegogo campaign
Accepted high school cross country coaching position!
Got my first med school interview invite!!!
Presented at a conference on research I’ve been working on at my job (I was a co-presenter)
October
My birthday! Had a blast ALL week
Med school interview!
November
Got into a relationship with the most awesome guy 🙂
I attended the RWJF Scholars Forum and SMDEP Alumni Summit – great time!
December
I published my post: “#WhiteCoats4BlackLives: Acknowledging The Political Determinants of Health” which became the most viewed post on my site. In just less than a month, it has 1,122 views!
My post on the national white coat die-in gets published on “The health Care Blog.” This was a major accomplishment for me!! You can check it out here.
I get a promotion at my job!
All this to say, this year has certainly been a year of greater. I challenged myself more than I had done in the past and definitely pushed through several obstacles. I am thankful for an AMAZING year and very thankful to you, my readers, for reading each post, sharing them, and accompanying me on this journey. I am extremely excited for what 2015 has in store.
Cheers and Happy New Year Folks!
A. Adejare-Smith, MD 