really?!

I have been in Minnesota for around a month-and-a-half now.  Close to two.

School started off slowly, but has really taken off.  And this program is AWESOME.  Can I just tell you the things I am already involved in??

1. Classes. Including Medical Nutrition Therapy and Public Health Nutrition Leadership. Who ever knew I would think tube-feeding was so interesting?

2. My field experience (hours going toward my RD license.)  I am working with a program called Cooking Matters where we teach low-income individuals (moms and grandmothers in my class) about how to cook healthy, low-cost meals and about nutrition.

3. The Latino Infant Nutrition Initiative.  I haven't gotten too far into this one yet, but it is a great organization.  I am helping them launch an obesity month in Puerto Rico including a march through the city (probably San Juan...?)  Doesn't this sound crazy?!

4. Latino and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition... I did a little bit of research for one of their publications.

5. I am also on a group dedicated to abolishing the sales of raw milk in Minnesota... people don't realize it's pasteurized for a reason, apparently.

6. The Philips Neighborhood Clinic.  I am going to be volunteering in a low-income neighborhood and acting as a student nutrition clinician in a free, student-run clinic.  I'll be working with preceptors and other students in different disciplines (med students, PT students, social workers, etc) to help people in the community!

7. I will also be assigned to a community outreach site in the Philips Neighborhood.  I asked to work in a meal-program of some sort.

But seriously.  How crazy and amazing is this list of things?  And this is only the first semester.  I am so blessed to be given all these experiences and really meaningful opportunities to make a difference in people's lives as I learn to be a dietitian.  And how awesome is it that most of my learning is hands-on??  I do spend quite a bit of time on homework and studying, but the majority of my time goes into personal interactions with people.  Awesome.