Gift from the University

Headphones are here!! and the timing could not have been more perfect since yesterday I took my last round of block exams EVER! The way I see it, these headphones are pretty much a congratulatory gift from DevRY saying "yeah 5ths, you did it. Now take these headphones and get back to studying for your Shelves/Comp." Since arriving to the island 18 months ago, I think I've taken roughly 65 exams so I don't think there's anything more fitting than getting a 300$ present for finishing basic science classes. Thank you, DeVry.

As for the headphones-- pure amazement at their noise-cancelling capabilities. All white-noise eliminated, and they are also quite comfy to wear (not to mention very sexy). I can imagine it now....600 AUC students rocking these headphones when we fly back home in August and all the Saba and Ross students watching from the distance in envy. Delicious.

We ended up getting the Bose QuietComfort 15s, which I wanted anyway because "over-the-ear" is just better than "on-the-ear", and yeah, definitely going to get a lot of use out of these the next 2 weeks. Two exams down, three to go!

Last day of classes

Today was my last day of Pharm II and Behavioral II, so I guess this marks the end of my basic sciences education... sort of. In theory I should have learned everything I was ever going to learn in basic sciences by this point, so I suppose that's nice, however, 5th semester is so very far from being over. I still have block II exams on Monday followed by the Behavioral shelf on Friday, then the Pharm shelf on the following Monday (both shelf exams serve as our final), and lastly that lovely thing called the "Comp" (short for comprehensive exam) on lucky Friday the 13th. Before I can reflect and truly appreciate this moment, I have to get through this whirlwind of exams in the next two weeks. I hope I return with good news. Wish me well.

The rumors were true

BOOM!

There have been some changes happening around school, the most notable being the construction of our new building. From all the floor plans it looks quite nice with additional lecture halls, a new anatomy lab, hospital like simulation rooms, and plenty more. They tore out part of the parking lot and basketball court in front of campus to build this thing, so you can imagine it's been somewhat noisy lately (not that I've noticed it myself since I study at home). But I guess things have been so loud that people who study in the library and the lectures halls have been complaining to the administration. I even heard a couple months back that someone suggested for DeVry to buy us all a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I laughed and said "yeah, that would be too awesome of an idea to ever actually happen" and never thought about it again... until now... duh duh duh! Apparently it was approved by DeVry last week to buy the entire student body (around 600 of us) a pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones! WOOOO AWESOME right? I went on the Bose site to figure out what we could possibly be getting and there are only two options: the QuietComfort 15 acoustic noise-cancelling headphones valued at $299.95 or the QuietComfort 3 acoustic noise-cancelling headphones valued at $349.95. HOT DAMN. And did I mention that these will be free???? The shipment is supposed to be arriving in 2-3 weeks and I cannot be more thrilled for these. THANK YOU DEVRY, maybe you aren't so bad if you're willing to shell out $180,000 to keep us happy. Ah yes, the perks of being owned by a publicly traded company.


Related Articles:
AUC Campus Expansion (caribbeanmedstudent.com)

The perks of going to med school in St. Maarten--

St. Maarten Restaurant Spotlight: Tahoma Beach Bar [Edit:CLOSED]

This relatively new, unknown gem has no website, has no signs, isn't on a main road and is significantly lacking in the advertisement front. I see no other way for you or anyone else to find Tahoma unless you're absolutely drunk/lost in Beacon hill and you just happen to stumble upon it. Even then it wouldn't do you much good seeing that it's closed every night (open for lunch daily and ONLY open for dinner Friday/ Saturday during tourist season). If you have had the good fortune of trying it out, then you must have heard it from someone else. Word-of-mouth recommendations seem to be the driving force of how Tahoma attracts its clientele or you might just happen to be French, but in either case I'm here to dispel all the secrecy shrouding this place and spotlight this restaurant. AUC students always need a good place to eat that's close by-- this is it and you get 10% off. And for all you other restaurant-goers who just ended up here because there is absolutely nothing else on the net about Tahoma Beach Bar, you're welcome.


 I've always been anxious writing restaurant reviews. I have a habit of trending to the dramatic. I supposed in behavioral science language you can fault me for dichotomous thinking (the tendency of seeing everything in one extreme or the other), because when I do get around to writing a restaurant review I always have very strong feelings one way or another. If a restaurant is awful, I really want people to know about it, and if it's terrific, likewise. So naturally, from being so one sided in my critiques, people are often disappointed or pleasantly surprised in whatever restaurant I'm writing about.

I'll try not to blow this out of proportion, but Tahoma may be the best restaurant you've never heard of. It's a semi-outdoor spot, sandwiched between the beach and airport runway. I know it doesn't sound that glamorous... it does get very loud when planes land or take off, but hey it's all part of the St. Maarten charm.  The kitchen is open from 11- 4 p.m daily, if you buy drinks or food you can get free chairs out on the beach and spend the day. Parking is plentiful enough, but if the lot does get full, you will have to resign yourself to parking along the side of the road.

As for food, I think I've been here on 4 or 5 occasions and I have always ordered the tuna or salmon tartar (photo below) since I'm under the impression that it's the best on the island. Each time I try to order something else, but I just can't bring myself to do it. But then again, it's my own personal preference, so don't go into this thinking it will be the greatest thing you'll ever eat since I'm sure I've set you up for disappointment. I tried the gazpacho soup here and it was pretty good, although the chef may have been a little too generous with the oil. And the burgers here! They are gorgeous! I know some of the guys I've spoken to love the "Tahoma burger". The kitchen prepares it's own patties infusing it with all kinds of ingredients and spices, and the handcut fries are excellent as well. For as good as the food has been, I've never seen more than a 4 or 5 other people at the restaurant, which is a little sad for me. Hopefully I've convinced some of you guys to at least give this place a shot. I just hope you end up agreeing with me. AUC students, don't forget! you get a 10% discount so be sure to mention you're students. I've given you a road map below. Drive as if you are going to Bliss, but before entering the parking lot, turn left and drive up that road alongside the runway. You'll hit a fork, turn left and continue down and you will run right into Tahoma.

 That's all for now. Ciao  (Photo courtesy Daria Z)

Tahoma Burger

Tuna Tartar

Tahoma Restaurant, Beach Bar, Lounge
34 White Sands Road, Sint Maarten
Phone Number: +599 524 1185 or +599 581 2104
Facebook: TAHOMA
Email: newtahoma@yahoo.com
Price- $15-$30
Map:


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