As of April, I became the student rep for North American Pharmacal at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Considering that even before I started full-time school there I was already known as “that girl who knows a lot about the Blood Type Diet”, this makes a lot of sense!

I have finished my first year at CCNM. We had three exams in April while classes were still going, then seven more exams during the two week exam period! By the last exam, I was pretty exhausted with studying.

I have really enjoyed this past year and have learned a lot. Principally, I have learned that my destiny is in my hands. There are a lot of people at school (classmates, upper year students, administration, professors, etc) who try to tell you what your experience at CCNM will be like. I’ve heard certain phrases many times: “In fourth year, everyone is burnt out/has adrenal fatigue”, “This program takes a major toll on your health”, “People without a science background struggle most”, “It’s impossible to work while going to school”, “There’s no point in going to class, learn from the textbook instead”, “By the end of four years, you will change dramatically”. The only one of these quotes I believe is true for me is the last. Despite having no science background, I have excelled in the science courses. I have learned a lot about maintaining balance in my life and I am not yet burnt out! I have two part-time jobs which not only help me pay the bills, but keep me sane. I go to nearly every single class and study to understand the material and the result has been that my knowledge and marks are higher than I ever expected.

On Thursday morning I am travelling to Arizona to attend IfHI 2007! Last time (2005), I went to this conference not knowing anyone and not even knowing what direction my life was headed in. I went as part of my 2005 plan to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I met lots of great people and became certain that I wanted to be a naturopathic doctor. This year will obviously be a totally different experience. I am now on my path, know far more people (but haven’t met most of them), and I’m also part of the NAP team. For those of you attending, please come say hello to me if you see me! Hopefully you’ll still recognize me – I have the same face, but I’ve cut most of my hair off.

I am returning to Toronto on May 23rd, then leaving on May 25th for Delhi, India. I am attending a four week program in Northern India called Intro to Traditional Medicine in India in which I will preceptor with doctors in various clinics and learn Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, and Reiki. There are also classes in all these topics as well as yoga! For the first two weeks I will be in Dehra Dun living with a host family, then one week in Rishikesh living in an ashram, then one week in the village of Than Gaon living in a guest house. All my meals are provided – Indian vegetarian diet! Should be interesting…

Anyway, I probably won’t be blogging again until I am back in Canada (late June or early July). Wish me luck!