reflection on 08 and the coming holidays

Hey everyone! Just wanted to catch you up on what's going on right now.
So as you can tell by my posting, I'm leaving for Dubai in about 6 days 2 hours and 15 mins. I'm studying abroad for about 3 weeks and will not return until the 17 of January. I'm super excited because I have never really left the country except to visit family in Mexico. Additionally, I'm going to the Middle East, which is a part of the world that I love to learn about. Sooooooo....yeah. I'll be back in 3 weeks. I guess I should address how life has been last month or so.

Well finals are over! FINALLY!!!! They were long and tedious but I'm so happy to say I'm over half way done with my undergrad ( I could finish next semester but I really don't want to). Right now I'm just waiting for grades and I think I'll be pleased. I have already checked and so far it looks good, not the best though. There is always next semester....which is going to suck because I'm taking O-Chem 1, Physics for Pre-meds 1, Physiology, and Modern African Politics and the Colonial Legacy. Whatever though I need to complete my sciences for the MCAT. Speaking of med school stuff I have started my applications for summer research and summer programs!! It's exciting but very overwhelming. There are SO many!!! Like seriously!

Let me see....so my uncle passed away this past Sunday so I have been home for as much as possible. I know I sound really strange about his passing but that is because I really didn't know him. I feel that I really don't know anyone outside my immediate family. I just feel really bad for my dad, who is his older brother. He was so devastated when he heard that his brother was in the hospital. I don't know how he is going to react when he finds out he died. My dad was on his way to visit him when he passed. I know I really don't connect to my dad and all but I wish I could be with him. He puts up such a big anti-social wall that I find it hard to connect with him. I just hope he is alright. By the way my uncle passed away from lung cancer, so if you smoke this might be a sign to stop! I just don't understand how hardheaded people are. I guess I will never know.

I guess that all I really wanted to talk about. I know it's not much but I just feel like I have been in front of my computer too much this semester especially these last few weeks. I swear I interact with this Mac more than people. Sad I know.
Well I hope everyone has a great holiday season! Enjoy the break and try to stay warm ( I know that where I'm going that shouldn't be a problem)!!

Just so you know you will be incapable of reaching me until the 17ish because I'm not bringing my cell. I'm bringing my laptop but I don't have Internet access in the hotel. I might be on Skye from time to time but don't count on me being available.

God bless and please realize what the holiday season is about. For me I know that it is about family. Don't get rolled up in the consumer portion of Christmas. Remember what the word means, break it down for a better understanding. Christ-mas (sound familiar?). If you're not religious well just enjoy having people around and be thankful for what you got. I know that I'll remember to give thanks for what I have and this past year. I know that some years are harder than others but just be grateful. Some people have less than you and would give up anything to be in your shoes. You might think it sucks but if you are capable of reading this you are already better off.
Once again, God bless and have a great holiday season!
See you guys, si Dios lo pide (como dise mi madre), next year!

With lots of love, hugs, and peace
Gerardo Bonilla

It's been a while..

Hey honey (and anyone else that is reading this).
Wow it has been a while since I have been on. Well let me just update you on life...where should I start? Well it's starting to snow here in Minnesota, you know what that means! Gerardo is gonna start getting sick. :( I'm kind of hoping that working out will keep my body from freaking out like it did last year. Training for the triathlon is going great. I have been freaking about the swimming portion since I kind of suck at it but whatever. I think it should be a fun time though. :)
I still don't know what to do about medical school and my future. I'm always changing it, as you might have noticed. BUT I'm applying to this video contest by AAMS (american Association of Medical Schools). I just need to talk about why I want to become a doctor in 2 minutes or less. I find this really hard to do because I think I can spend about 3 hours talking about why I want to become a doctor. I started to think about how I'm going to answer this and I seriously went on a intellectual rant for about an hour or two. There are so many reasons why I want to do this and I don't think I could ever name them all. I know that I'm really unsure about life, well as far as my career and my future, and I know that I'm always changing my plans but it's because I want to do so much. I really don't want to look back when I'm 80ish and be like "Man I wish I would have done that."
If I'm one of the top 10 winners I get 1,000 for medical school applications, MCAT courses, and anything else that I would need from AAMS (which is a HUGE deal because applying is NOT cheap!!)
I know that eventually I will become a doctor. I know that I have the resources and the skills to achieve whatever I want. I just struggle with the in between....

Other than that, everything is great! I miss you a ton (directed towards Nikki)! I'll tell what happens this weekend after I take care of the devil dog. It should be fun though. I miss hanging out with him and playing with him.

Love you tons!
Have fun and take care!! Soak up the weather!!!
Gerardo

hmmm....

I FREAKIN LOVE YOU!!
I hanging out with Mike right now at the library and I keep realizing that I love you a ton! We were just talking about how it has almost been four months that we have been apart. 4 MONTHS!! That is almost half of the time you are going to be away for. And this coming semester is going to be super exciting and super busy ( I can already tell). I'm just excited for you to come home and I can't wait to see you in person. Don't get me wrong, I do want you to enjoy your time out in Palestine and wouldn't want you to come home early for any reason. I love hearing about your adventures and all the people you meet out there. I love you Nikki!
Guess what by the way? Our anniversary is on election day! Cool huh?
I will tell you about homecoming weekend next you call me. I totally understand if you can't though. I know that things can fill up life.
Thanks for supporting and loving me for who I am.

Take care honey! XOXOXOXOXO
Enjoy the weather! With love,
Gerardo

Hey honey!
I just wanted to tell you that I love you a ton! I'm really sorry that I haven't been able to write. This past week was really busy for me!
Thanks for the phone call on Friday, I really appreciate it when you call. I had a really fun/interesting birthday! I think everyone was super sore the next day, except me though! :) I wish you could have been here to enjoy it with me!
Guess what? It snowed today (well mix of rain and snow but still snow!)!! Well nothing too bad for normal people but it's me we are talking about. It was also a cold day, something I'm sure you would enjoy. I would have really enjoyed the day if I was with you drinking hot chocolate : )
I hope all is well and that you are enjoying your time off. Well I guess you wouldn't be off today since it is already morning over there and barely 1230ish here.
I miss you and love you!
Gerardo

Greetings from Chi-town...well close

Hey honey! Guess what? I'm near Chi-Town! Well I'm in this town called Waukegan, it's about an hour from Chicago. We're staying here for the weekend. Oh sorry, I'm going to the regional conference for MAPS in Chicago. We are going to Roseland Franklin Medical school. I'm so EXCITED because I have looked at that school for medical school. So hopefully I'll be able to make a good impression and get accepted there.
Every time I think about medical school I think about our future together. I know that it's still a long way away but I can't help think about it. I love you so much and would be so honored and excited to spend the rest of my life with you. I'm such a lucky guy and I don't think I really appreciate how lucky I am. I seriously see us together in the future.
Well I should get to bed, I have a long day tomorrow. Have a great day tomorrow!
Loves and hugs!
Gerardo

p.s.
you are amazing!

Here we go again...

Hello my love!
Well let me just tell you right off the bat...I'm getting sick!! Gross I know! The worst part is...I have SO MUCH TO DO!!! I have a midterm Thursday, a paper due Thursday also, and a 10 paper due on Sunday. It gets worse! This Friday I leave for Chicago for a regional MAPS conference and I don't get back until Sunday. To top it all off I don't know if my hotel room has internet which I need! So boo on everything!!
Other than that everything is fine and dandy. LOL! Well seriously I really don't have anything to complain about.
I hope all is well! I miss you and love you a TON!!!
Keep your head up!
With lots of love,
Gerardo
XOXO

Peace and love

May every star you wish upon
And every hope you're hangin' on come true
Out of everybody in the world
There's no one who deserves it more than you
I hope you find
Everything you've been dreamin' of
Only good things
No in betweens just
Peace and love
These words did not come easily
Still you know I had to write them down
You must know what you mean to me
I wish that you could always be around
I hope you find
Everything you are worthy of
I'm gonna miss you
But I only wish you
Peace and love
Peace and love
Tears of joy
Kindness of strangers
All of your roads
Paved in gold
By guardian angels
Wherever you may be in this world
My salutation says it all
May you always have enough
Peace and love
I let you go unselfishly
Cause everyone needs time to be alone
Well maybe time will bring you back
And if it does you'll always have a home
I sign my name
No one to blame it on because
I'm on your side
No question of pride
Peace and love
Tears of joy
Kindness of strangers
All of your roads
Paved in gold
By guardian angels
Wherever you may be in this world
My salutation says it all
May you always have enough
Peace and love




I love listening to this song because I know that where ever you are in this Earth you'll be followed by peace and love.
I'm really sorry that guys won't leave you alone. It's frustrating to hear that and not be able to do anything. Just know that you are in my prayers and that I'll be here whenever you need me. You are strong Nikki (Literally! Remember the numerous occasions where you wrestled me to the ground?) and if you ever need more support strength just know that I am here.

Sorry I wasn't online today, I was with the family. My family, nano, and Jose say hi! My mom also asked how you were doing! (It made me excited for some odd reason :) ) I should be able to call you tomorrow so you might get a ring from me. :)

With LOTS of love,
Gerardo


p.s. you are beautiful!
p.s.s.
"May every star you wish upon
And every hope you're hangin' on come true
Out of everybody in the world
There's no one who deserves it more than you"---I would have put the whole song in but it's already on top

I love you Nikki : )