Dominican Love Day

With Mini 1 looming around the corner, it's easy to see why everyone would either forget or simply not care that today was Valentine's Day. Also, I imagine today was a little depressing for those that have left their significant others back home.

I am one of the lucky few that have their loved one here. However, we're both in medical school and our relationship is taking the back seat for a while. I do see my boyfriend every day but those are more like visits. I only see him for about an hour every day. Today was a little sad because we weren't able to spend Valentine's Day together as we have in the past. Med school has officially killed the romance for now. Also, tomorrow is our anatomy lab practical. So, I spent my Valentine's Day with my boyfriend, my roommates, 20 cadavers, and about 100 other students in the anatomy lab.

Because we've been so busy studying, I completely forgot today was Valentine's Day. However, this morning the doorbell rang and it was my amazing boyfriend. He took the time to walk to the "florist" and bought me the most beautiful flowers I've ever received. He picked out each flower and they made a Dominican version of a Valentine's Day bouquet. Since I don't have a vase to put them in, I imagine they won't last very long. So, I took a few pictures for posterity. He also bought me a pretty jade-colored necklace. I'd say he did pretty well considering the limited options! He really made my day because we hadn't discussed doing anything for Valentine's Day or getting each other gifts. Valentine's Day here is so unimportant compared to the other days (like exam days) that are coming up. So, it really made me feel special and loved that he took the time out of his study schedule to go buy me a little something.

I still haven't decided on what gift I'll get him yet. The only gift I can think of that a guy would like for Valentine's Day is liquor - especially a guy that just finished taking his first Mini exam! It's so hard to find anything that resembles a gift on this island. I suppose I can give him a shawarma and a carved coconut but I don't think those gifts quite capture my love for him. If anyone has a suggestion, please let me know!

I have a few dissection videos to watch before going to bed so this is where I'll stop writing. For those back at home, I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day!