Blackout!

I've heard a lot about the power outages in Dominica. I came down with 4 flashlights, a lantern, and several candles, even though my apartment is equipped with a generator. When leaving the study area last night (in the parking lot just about a football field away fro my apartment), the island went black. I've never been anywhere so dark; I couldn't even see my hands. Luckily, I picked up my 5th flashlight, which is on my keys and I could easily flip it on.

The generators at school kicked in about 5-15 seconds within the black out and the generator at my apartment kicked in just after the school generators. I was impressed. We'd been told that some apartments have generators, but don't run them (which is why I brought down a lighting store with me).

I think it shocked me a bit more because I was outside when it happened. If I had been inside, I think I would have just assumed that it was a blackout as it probably wasn't as dark in there since laptops would have kept running on their batteries. I wish I could better describe the feeling when the power went out. It was something else!!

I had grand plans for last weekend. I've been so on top of my studies and I planed on a super study weekend---things don't always go as planned. I went to a peer study session,which are sponsored by the school and a student, who is further along in studies that has a 4.0, reviews information/tutors for anyone who wants to go. They are free,you get study/exam tips and fun!). At any rate, I got a sinus headache right before heading to the meeting. There was a campus event so it was very, very loud on campus. My headache grew and grew. I had light sensitivity, vertigo and I was off balance. I'm not sure about the light sensitivity but I believe the vertigo (feeling like you are spinning) and off balance comes from one of your cranial nerves being compressed, which runs through your facial sinuses (we don't dissect the face and learn all the cranial nerves until next semester or I could explain much better). I went right home, took a shower and went to bed.

Saturday, I slept in, still had a headache, but was better. However, Sunday all heck broke loose. I had a bit of a headache, but nothing like Friday night. I went to lab and got REALLY, REALLY hot. I excused myself to sit down for a minute at which time, I started sweating buckets, felt faint and nauseous. Yup, I was sick, sick, sick. I spent the rest of the day in bed. I got up for a study session in the evening and felt much better Monday. However, I've been SO tired all week. It seems that the flu is going around and I'm just glad that I didn't get any more sick than I was. I'm sad I had my study time cut, but it could have been much worse. I'm also lucky that I was ahead of myself because despite my shortcomings this week, I'm still not behind (I'm just not where I want to be). Sometimes I wonder if I can really cut it as a physician: even when I'm well I love to sleep!

Oh, here is another picture of beautiful Dominica. This is inland from the school and sea. You can see the rain forests and the mountains.