Failing to Succeed

So, I've had my share of pretty spectacular failures/mistakes.  Some would say .. why dwell in the past, why even give credence to such events. The fact is.. what I know now and where I am are  in part do to where and when I've stumbled. So here goes:

The Car Crash (April 2002)

Here's the basic formula :   underdeveloped frontal lobe + fast and furious fascination + futile attempts to impress girl + calculus tournament + drifting + techno = recipe for disaster

In short, I attempted to drift my 1997 Green Toyota Corolla, affectionally called the Green Wizard, into a Publix parking lot, the very same publix i was employed at. Much to the chagrin of my parents, more specifically my father, I misaveraged at 45+ mph, and ended up skidding over the curb(s) and into the grass , around a sign and then back on to the parking lot tarmac... only to utterly crush my rims and break parts of my front axel. 

Lessons Learned - 

1. riding the bus sucks when you can drive, especially when the annoying girl in front of you won't let you listen to your music in peace

2. movies aren't real life (for the most part, i'm still banking on romantic comedies  - esp 80s Cusack)

3. corollas and cars don't need to be drifted unless you're on some kind of race track and you have that luxury

4.  attempts to impress girls can be dangerous

Losing all Hope (2003-2005)

I entered college as a sophomore due to my AP credit standing. I applied and was accepted early decision to the University of Georgia and was offered entry into their Honors program with another scholarship on top of my Hope.  It took me two semesters to lose both my Honors standing and all my scholarships.  I didn't drink or do anything remarkably stupid. I just didn't study. 

Solution: I finished my last year of college (2005-2006) at home at a Gwinnett campus for UGA. I worked as pharm tech and volunteered at the hospital while I was there. I was a straight A student and actually got my Hope (scholarship) back my last semester.  

Lesson:

Hard work , prayer and support from those around you can fix any if not all mistakes. I recently asked my dad if he thought I'd go to medical school after my first year in college. He said no.. it wasn't until I moved back home and got serious that the possibility become a probability.   I was fortunate to finish college early because it allowed me to take the MCAT twice.. and get a score I was happy with and ultimately saved my subpar GPA. I also used my year off to work as a tutor and ER Secretary, experiences I wouldn't trade. 

So why write this?  

Sometimes I get the impression that we are taught to follow a protocol in life. You must finish high school, you must finish college in 4 years with all As and B, you must get a job to learn the value of a dollar. 

Fact is.. I don't think this is always the case. Have you ever asked your mom or grandma how she made that awesome curry [subsitute dish here]. Most of the time.. they have a general idea of ingredients but portions vary and it just depends how the chips fall as they may after you put in the work or preparing and cooking the dish.   That' how life is. You work hard, you set goals.. and things work out. Sure , sometimes things don't pan out well.. and you can't quite pinpoint why but perhaps it is these times that allows us to appreciate the times our expectations are met.. and even better , when they are exceeded.

So that's where I am now, winding down my second year of medical school... sitting for my first set of Boards on June 20 (iA).... and I couldn't be happier to be where I am. 

My next posts will include some.. quote-ables from medical school....

Cant Take My Eyes Off You - Muse