Swagga Like Us

Hello Blog readers,

We got done with our Anatomy practical today and I'm happy to say I did pretty well today. Today's article is going to be about music. Where would we be without it! Right now I'm hanging out in my friends apartment and listening to the T.I.'s new song "Swagga Like Us". I have to say, Kanye and Lil' Wayne with M.I.A. singing is awesome. Listening to something like this is pretty neat. I'm not claiming that they did something extraordinary, but it is a good song. The addition of M.I.A. is pretty cool, especially because she is not known too well in North America.

When collaborations like Jay-Z and Punjabi MC happen, great music occurs and it gets lots of exposure. The same can be said with rock and roll and classical music and rap music with classical instruments. These so called mash ups and music mixing creates a genre of music; rap-rock, rap-classical, rock-classical have opened up a new dimension to music. DJs and forward thinking musicians can attributed to this new field of music mixing innovation.

However, there are lots of critics that don't like the new music that has been released. In my opinion, there is no room for criticism because just like people didn't like what is now considered established "music" (rock, swing, jazz, etc.), each genre of music will find its own niche of listeners.

What are you're favorite genres of music? Leave comments.

Flashing Lights

Hi everyone,

Current Status: Reading about fibular fractures

I'm just taking a break and updating the blog. I've been watching the show 30 Rock when I have off time and I love it! Tina Fey (hot as usual) has put together a great cast and great writing goes into it. Before that, I was watching House M.D. So, I guess I've been on a stint of witty, facetious humor. Otherwise, nothing else really bothering me. Just studying away and missing my friends and family back home.

Things I Miss (in no particular order)

Diversity (especially white girls)
Good fast food (Taco Bell where are you?)
A thick chocolate milkshake
Driving
Cold mornings
Sidewalks
Orderly driving
Going and coming as I please
My Family
Unrestricted internet
Wearing whatever I want to the library

I know I shouldn't be thinking about the things I miss, but I guess it keeps things in prespective.

You spin me right round baby...

Hey friends and family,

Updating the blog. Not too much going on. Just been studying away like a good medical school student. This weekend, we are preparing for sessional exams, so I won't be relaxing too much. On Friday is Indian Independence Day (August 15). I am taking part by marching in the parade. All the various colleges (Nursing, Pharmacology, Dentistry, etc) are marching around campus. I'll bet you can't guess who is the marching leader for KMCIC (hint: me)? I didin't want to get too involved my first year in med school; I need to get a handle on things. I guess mentioning I had marching experience when the instructor asked was a bad idea and completely counter productive.

Something interesting has happened to me. India has changed things. When people ask me if I like it here, I tell them I like it and that I like it better everyday. What I am wondering is if I am genuinely feeling like that, or am I just blind to the bad "stuff". My logic is, if you are in a new place, come in with a positive attitude; you are bound to find something you like. If I came to Manipal with a bad attitude, I think I would pick out every single fault and I would miserable.

Something to ponder. I leave that up to you, friends and family, to give me feedback on what you think.

Kannan Naina visited India recently. I spoke to him on the phone and he sounded like he was in good spirits. It was weird because he was visiting his engineering school on his 25th reunion. He told me he hadn't seen some classmates for about that long. I can't imagine twenty five years from now. I will be forty seven. What am I going to be like? Will my friends even recognize me? All interesting questions.

Otherwise, mind, body and spirit are good, although this monsoon rain could let up a bit and not be so hard on us!

I love and miss you all. Leave comments to let me know how you all are doing.

Inauguration

Hey friends and family,

I am starting this blog so that you can gain a perspective of my life during medical school. I am in Manipal, Karnataka, India at Manipal University's Kasturba Medical College International Center (what a mouthful). So far, classes, people and the local fair are good. Because of the nature of medical school, I am pretty much studying everyday, all day! Classes from 8 to 5, then studying from 6 to the wee hours of the morning makes me tired Karthik.

Even as I am typing this blog, I am still wondering what the future holds. Things are tough now, but I know the future is going to be bright.

That's all for now. I have to get back to learning how to save lives (how cliche).