Holiday Mode On!
Last week, I found myself nestling in the wooden rocker of my living room, a cup of chamomile tea in my hands. It first felt weird just sitting there, no looming deadlines or pressing obligations. During the semester, many weeks every second of my time from 5:30am to 10:00pm was completely planned out. Whenever I rested, it was written in my calendar. The feeling of discomfort didn’t last long. Within a couple of days I was fully in holiday mode, stretching my morning sports and self-care routine and watching German movies with my housemate Lillian.
On Saturday, Lilli and I wandered over to the Somerville farmers market and were surprised not only with delicious beets but also great beats! Live music, coffee and the earthy scent of fresh root veggies – what a dream!
Hello Cold, My Old Friend
On Sunday I finally got back to something that I had missed in Boston for a looong time – cold plunges. I joined a cold plunge group in Boston and jumped (walked veeeery slowly) into the sea. I am not sure if it was the -6°C (21°F), the icy wind or the shallow beach, but this plunge tested my resolve more than I had expected and honestly, I couldn’t feel my feet until I enjoyed a hot shower an hour later. In the end, ice baths are a matter of practice, so regular cold showers and weekly plunges will hopefully allow me to adapt to the cold water again soon.
Inspiring Insights into Médecins Sans Frontières
Wednesday, I had the pleasure of listening to Christos Christou, the International President of MSF (Doctors Without Borders). Hearing about the organization’s transformative contributions within the global health sphere was profoundly moving. Their work is not just about medical care but about restoring hope. Understanding the broader impact of their mission and its interconnection with human dignity and hope for a better future was a powerful reminder of why I’m pursuing this field.
Weekly High, Low, Buffalo & Lessons Learned
High: Enjoying German movies with Lilli, celebrating our classmate Andrew’s birthday this Monday, meeting with an ice-bathing community in Boston, and reconnecting with friends after the break
Low: Feeling uneasy without a full to-do list at first
Buffalo: I haven’t yet figured out what clothes are perfect – not too hot and not too cold – for my winter runs
Lesson Learned: From the adrenaline of an ice bath to enjoying a cup of tea in stillness, I was reminded of the importance of finding a balance between action and rest, connection, and time alone.