Introduction to an Almost-Graduate & Her Last Summer Ever...
Hi everyone! My name is Lindsay McClure, and yesterday was my last first day of my undergrad college career! Wooooooooo! Crazy right?! My major is Biology Pre-Physical Therapy, and I am currently applying to PT schools, which will hopefully begin shortly after graduating in May! I've always had a love for helping others, and I've noticed that physical therapy is especially unique because you can see gradual improvement week by week (I work at a physical therapy clinic so I've gotten to experience some of this)! I also love the different people you meet and can influence in the process as well. So cool!
I've taken several interesting courses at OU, however my recent favorite I've taken is Human Physiology. I enjoyed it because it helped me comprehend what happens daily in each of us, and it helped me better understand things about the body that we find ourselves frequently talking about in daily activity.
Because I'm about to be forced into the real adult world (AHHH!), I really tried to take advantage of this summer. I was able to visit my family in Hana, Hawaii. See the following link to read more about Hana (my favorite place). Being my second time to visit, this time I was able to better experience the culture and community in Hana, rather than trying to site-see the whole time. Hana is very much a small, tight-knit community. For example, a fruit stand across the street from my family's house hosts an open mic night for neighbors to come share by playing music, singing, performing skits (there's a drama club in the elementary school). It was really cool to experience this and see more of the Hawaiian culture that both the native and non-native people hold near and dear to their hearts. They also served brick-oven pizza to the neighbors for free, so that was also a plus!!!
Fruit stands are extremely common, as people that live in Hana have farms that grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. that they can eat or sell to the huge number of tourists that pass through daily. Here is an example of a fruit stand that you may see..
I've taken several interesting courses at OU, however my recent favorite I've taken is Human Physiology. I enjoyed it because it helped me comprehend what happens daily in each of us, and it helped me better understand things about the body that we find ourselves frequently talking about in daily activity.
Because I'm about to be forced into the real adult world (AHHH!), I really tried to take advantage of this summer. I was able to visit my family in Hana, Hawaii. See the following link to read more about Hana (my favorite place). Being my second time to visit, this time I was able to better experience the culture and community in Hana, rather than trying to site-see the whole time. Hana is very much a small, tight-knit community. For example, a fruit stand across the street from my family's house hosts an open mic night for neighbors to come share by playing music, singing, performing skits (there's a drama club in the elementary school). It was really cool to experience this and see more of the Hawaiian culture that both the native and non-native people hold near and dear to their hearts. They also served brick-oven pizza to the neighbors for free, so that was also a plus!!!
Fruit stands are extremely common, as people that live in Hana have farms that grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. that they can eat or sell to the huge number of tourists that pass through daily. Here is an example of a fruit stand that you may see..
(Image of a fruit stand in Maui. Source: Wikimedia).
The nearest grocery store is also around 2 hours away, so my family is trying to grow most of our food to avoid frequent trips into Lahaina, HI (the nearest town with stores).
Well, I think that's it for now! Come back for more!!
Hi Lindsay!! Hawaii seems absolutely beautiful; my parents used to vacation there all the time when they were younger. I constantly beg them to take our whole family because of the many activities there are to do there. I have always wanted to go somewhere tropical, so why not start with Hawaii, right? Good luck on getting into the PT schools you are hoping for, you are going to do great! I contemplated studying physical therapy as a freshman because I also loved helping people, but I ended up going with a psychology major instead. Ironic how both of these allow us to see small changes in our patients week by week!
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteIt is so amazing that you were able to learn about the culture and community in Hana. The image of the fruit stand looks very beautiful and full of life! I have been to India several times, but my family and I were only there for my cousins' weddings. If I have the chance in the future, I wish to learn about my culture and community in India! Wishing you the best in your pursuit of becoming a Physical Therapist!
Hi Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteI think it is really cool that you are going into Physical Therapy and want to help others. I really enjoyed learning about Hana, Hawaii from your post. I’ve always thought it would be a fun place to visit and I think it is really awesome that you have gotten to visit family there and learn so much about the culture there.
Lindsay!!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a fascinating post and I could really get a feel for your personality and passions. I love that you took time this summer to step back and enjoy your last summer before entering the "adult world". I think it is so special you got to spend that time with your family in what seems like an amazing place! Good luck applying to PT schools!
Hi Lindsay!! I am a Biology Pre-Medicine student and I, too, want to influence and experience the help I can give to future patients that I will have. I have heard how hard Human Physiology is and I am impressed that it is one of your favorite classes. I cannot wait to gain experience in a hospital or clinic because I really love meeting new people.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so cool that you have family in Hawaii and get to visit them!! I have been wanting to got there for so long, so I hope I can some day!!
Oh, I like the idea of "last first day" of your undergrad career, Lindsay: what a great way to look at that! I hope you will get good news from the PT school of your choice. I am a great admirer of physical therapists; years ago, I had a really bad burn from an accident; the doctor told me I would need a skin graft for sure, but the physical therapists who worked with me (I had to go to the PT clinic every single day for a month, plus the hospital on the weekends when the clinic was closed) did such a great job that when I went back to see the doctor he was totally amazed. And no skin graft! Yay!
ReplyDeleteAnd like I said before: I think it is fabulous that your family is there in Hawaii, and that they are enjoying all the greenery and growth and beautiful fruits that are part of Hawaii's magical agriculture. I hope you will get to go back and visit there soon. For the holidays? Christmas in Hawaii: that sounds ideal! :-)
Hi Lindsay,
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that you got the chance to see Hawaii twice! I hear that is is such a beautiful place to be! I am glad you are enjoying your last summer before fully adulting. I totally get it! I work a corporate job part time and even as a junior, it is already too much adulting for me. You seem so nice base don your blog post! I hope you have a wonderful semester!
Hi Lindsey! Wow, medical school is so intense! Serious kudos to you for pursuing such a noble and difficult career. Your description of Hawaii is great! Sounds like an amazing place. I've always wanted to go, and you're not helping! Haha, anyway, great to meet you. I wish you the best of luck and hope you have fun in this class!
ReplyDelete- Cate
Hi Lindsey!
ReplyDeleteI have also taken Human Physiology and it is such a cool class. It is amazing all that our body's are capable of. Also, Hana looks gorgeous! I have been to Maui, and it was absolutely beautiful. After reading you post, I really want to go back to Hawaii and visit Hana. Last but not least, I feel you on the almost adult thing!! I graduate next semester and I am excited, yet nervous at the same time. I am not ready to be an adult, but it looks like I will have to be one in a couple of months lol. I look forward to reading more of your post.
-Jessica
Hey Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you have family in Hawaii - it is a place I have always wanted to visit! It's awesome that your family is trying to grow the majority of their own food. It must be a lot of work, but I'm sure the results are extremely tasty! Fruit stands are the best - when I was in Israel this summer there were also tons of them, and there's nothing like stopping to sink your teeth into something fresh off the vine. I'm a ballet major, so it is people like you who work (or plan to work) in physical therapy that have helped keep me healthy through numerous injuries and complications! You are pursuing a wonderful path toward helping people :)
Hi Lindsay! Wow, I've always wanted to go to Hawaii, it seems so amazing. My parents told me that Hana was one of the most beautiful places they've ever seen. I loved reading about your interests and I am also looking to go into the medical field. My aunt is a physical therapist, and I think what they do is so important. Looking forward to reading more about your stories!
ReplyDeleteHey Lindsay! I'm so jealous that you got to spend your summer in Hawaii, I've always wanted to go there! The fruit stands remind me of ones they have in Italy, and they're always so good and fresh. Has your family always lived there? Also, I think that's so cool that you're pursuing a career in PT! My aunt is a physical therapist and I always loved going to visit her at her office lol. And I totally get what you're saying about the satisfaction of seeing people gradually get better every week, that's definitely motivating!
ReplyDeleteHi, Lindsay! It’s nice to meet you! Congratulations on being close to graduation, that is no easy feat. I’m glad that you’re thinking ahead in terms of what you’d like to do after college—traveling is a great way to discover who you are and what you want your future to look like. I studied abroad in Japan this last spring (which was an awesome experience), and it definitely helped me realize the potential I have. It seems like Hana had a similar effect on you, which is fantastic! Anyways, I hope you can use your experiences to guide you in life and in Mythology and Folklore!
ReplyDeleteLindsay, congrats on your almost graduation! I'm right there with you! I also love helping people, but in more of a socio-emotional-psychological way. I'm a social work major. Are you required to do a practicum/internship for your major? Or does that start when you actually go to a PT school? It will be very fulfilling for you to see the improvements in your patients when your'e working with them.
ReplyDeleteHana sounds like an adorable and peaceful little place. I love planting fruits and veggies, but am very jealous of the people who successfully do it all the time! I need to step up my gardening skills. I may just see about adding Hana to my vacation list!
Nice to meet you, Lindsay! Congratulations on making it to your last year of undergrad, that is so exciting! Especially since you have already found a career you love and have a plan for what you want to do following graduation. It is so interesting that your family is from Hawaii and has such strong roots in a small town. The way you describe it and the picture you included makes it seem gorgeous and free pizza is always a great thing to have around! I am looking forward to reading more of your stories and hope you have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsay! Congratulations on making it to your senior year! I am also completing my last year of undergrad....but I definitely do not know what I want to do yet. It is awesome you have a plan and you are passionate about it. It is also awesome that your family is in Hawaii. I bet it is such a beautiful place. I have always wanted to go! I hope you get to see your family soon and you enjoy your last year!
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsay!! Congrats on the accomplishment of making it to senior year and I am sorry that this past summer was your last. That is so cool that you got to visit Hawaii and see your family. Hawaii would so cool to visit and just hike around and enjoy the scenery and all that Hawaii has to offer. I wish you luck throughout your senior year!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsey! Congratulations on making it to senior year! Also I love your pictures of Hana! I think it's so cool that your family moved there. Now you have a good reason to go to Hawaii often! Medical school is so tough to get into but I know through hardwork and dedication you will be able to make it! Good luck! Hope you have a great rest of the year!
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsay! I can imagine how amazing it is to live in Hawaii! How did you decide to come to the University of Oklahoma? Also, the fact that your family is growing their own produce instead of traveling two hours is amazing. It is so helpful to the environment, and I am sure growing your own natural products add to the taste!
ReplyDeleteHi Lindsay,
ReplyDeleteAren’t you glad this long journey is almost over! This is my last semester as well and I am so happy!! What will you do before you start PT school? What made you chose PT as a career? I also loved Human Physiology! Which professor did you have? I loved the class because the lectures were online and I could study them at my leisure and really grasp the material. Good luck in your future endeavors!
Hey Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for that feeling of knowing it is my last semester of undergrad! You are so close to being finished! I adore Hawaii and I hope to visit every island at some point. I'll keep Hana on my list of places to visit because it sounds beautiful and lovely. I would really love to live in Hawaii someday because of the culture and atmosphere, so your family is living my dream! I hope you're enjoying the class!
Hi Lindsay!
ReplyDeleteCongratulation on graduating! That is so amazing you have the passion of helping others and want to improve the health of others through a career of physical therapy. I still need to take human physiology, so it is encouraging to know someone successful like you thoroughly enjoyed the course. That is so amazing you have family members living in Hawaii. That probably gives you an excuse to frequently travel back to one of the most beautiful places in the United States!