One should always be drunk. That’s the great thing; the only question. Drunk with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you please. But get drunk.”
-Charles Baudelaire
Welcome to the hodgepodge of random that is me. This blog is first and foremost, my attempt to steal glimpses and recollections from a mind that is in constant motion. My name is Palak Shah. I’m 28, a graduate from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a degree in Zoology (no, I have no plans of working in a zoo, although most days I already tend to think I’m in one) and received my Masters in Public Health from St. George’s University in Grenada, where I am also currently embarking upon a journey that is the equivalent of boot camp in the world of academia by pursuing an MD. To ensure my sanity and my humanity as I attempt to stumble my way out the other end of this painstakingly long tunnel, I chose to keep an account of my experiences fully encompassed with trials, tribulations, musings, and essays on this convoluted process we call becoming a physician.
As much as I wish others to seek comfort from my thoughts, I hope just as much that they laugh at them. After all, the very definition of “pathetic” is the one who takes him or herself too seriously. Although, I would like to have a running narrative from post to post on this blog, I’ve learned that life doesn’t quite work like a script and that there may not always be a clear focus. However, lack of focus doesn’t always translate to lack of amusement. I’m a lover of books, beer, music, volunteering, photography, running, traveling, writing in parentheticals, old friends, new friends, and Taco Bell. This is my blog, these are my thoughts. Keep the thinking to a minimum…
…and YOU thought I was just being comical about my love affair with Taco Bell!
Shah Blah Blah 
Palak,
I’ve been interviewed by SGU for medical school, but they haven’t gotten back to me to either accept or decline my application. Do you know if this is normal? Does SGU usually notify students very close to the June 15th deadline? What was your experience with this?
Secondly, I’ve been scouring the internet for inside information regarding SGU, and would love to have your input. Is there specific information you wish you had had when you arrived? Are there any idiosyncrasies I should be aware of if I am accepted to SGU? Is there anything you would do differently if you had the chance to do them again at the school? I’m definitely going to review your blog, but and info or tips you could provide would be much appreciated!
I stumbled upon this blog while looking up Caribbean med schools and was pleasantly surprised to see that you are a graduate of Wisconsin because I am currently attending this wonderful school.
On Wisconsin!
ON Wisconsin and welcome! Thanks for reading!
Hi,
I have been reading your blog for more than couple of months now and have learned a lot. It is really good and you are maintaining it very well. I would like to submit my post on your blog (as guest post) with my website link. Please let me know if you are accepting guest posts for free of cost and I’m ready to discuss my contents with you, I promise you with unique, quality and 100% plagiarism free content. I am looking forward to get your reply.
Thank You,
Tanya Schenck
Hi Tanya!
Thanks for stopping by! Currently I’m not taking any guest posts but I will let you know if that changes! I wouldn’t mind linking your blog in my blogroll at the bottom if appropriate! Once again, thanks for reading!
I’m mesmerized by your style of writing!
Here’s a request by a random internet stranger: If there ever comes a point in your life where you have to let go of writing, please please don’t!
Thank you! I write mostly to keep myself sane, but if I can reach out to someone and have my words linger even for the shortest amount of time in the minds of others, it means that much more! Thanks for reading!
Dear Palak,
Thank you for your fantastic blog. I am putting together resources to help prevent medical student burnout and depression. These resources are aiming to help the support-givers of medical students (like parents, friends, and spouses) have a better understanding of the medical training experience, so they can stay better connected to students, offer better support, and help protect the relationship (rather than having it become yet another source of stress for the student).
We are looking for more physicians to help write resources, and it occurred to me that you must know a LOT of physicians who enjoy writing thoughtfully. Do you have a suggestion about ways we might invite them to join us in writing these resources?
Thanks so much,
– Eran