Restored: Notable weekend so far

Last Night:

Watched Passion of the Christ for the first time after watching it when it first came out in 2004. Co-sponsored by CMA and the CMSA (catholic medical students assoc). Realized Protestants have more in common with Catholics than we like to believe... Sure, there are really different theological thoughts here and there, but compared to the non-Christian world around us, we hold similar values and beliefs, and it's something that I often forget, as the natural tendency is to look for differences rather than similarities.
Afterwards I studied (yes, studied on a Fri night) for a few hours... Studying on Friday nights is becoming less awkward for me (now that I've gotten used to not going to Bible studies on Fridays), which is good considering the long road ahead.
Some friends from school were organizing a fundraiser at a local bar, so I checked it out. On my way there, an annoying motorcyclist revved his engine and starting speeding away when all of a sudden I hear a crash and the next thing I know, I have this guy in front of me who just tumbled out of his motorcycle. My reaction: "Sir, are you OK?" There were plenty of others were on the scene, calling 911 and making sure he was breathing, etc. but I was literally the closest one to the scene of the accident when it happened. Instead of sticking around, I just kept walking when I saw the situation was somewhat under control - there was no reason for me to stick around when a) I don't have the skills necessary (yet) to actually take care of the guy until paramedics got there and b) there were plenty of people there to help.
What was particularly disturbing though, was that I felt very little compassion for the guy - he was clearly drunk, he wasn't wearing a helmet, and he owns a motorcycle - strike 3. I almost felt like he deserved it and needed to learn a lesson from this. This is why I might have trouble tending to patients who bring diseases upon themselves (alcoholics, smokers, etc.) I already have enough trouble having patience overall, not sure how that will go down once I'm in the wards tending to self-destructive patients. But it's still early in my career so hopefully I'll pick up more compassion here and there.
When I finally got to the destination (fundraising at the bar), I saw a few people here and there that I know from class. I avoided some people that I don't really get along with and I'm sure there were those who avoided me. But once I got past the initial "how's it going" and "what's ups" with some better friends, I quickly realized what I seem to get repeatedly at these types of outings: it's just really boring and at the end of the night you just smell like smoke. I wouldn't say last night was a complete waste because I learned a few things about myself (that I don't really enjoy those types of outings or the compan of most of those classmates who like these things). If I do go out, it better be with good friends (a rare entity in my wide but shallow circle of friends) and not at some smoky bar.
Part of what was so frustrating about the night at the bar was that it just seemed so hard to connect with people. It made me miss my brothers and sisters in Christ, despite all the flaws that they may have or the gripes I may have about them. And just overall, I'd rather go see something (museums, sports games, natural wonders) or go eat dinner than have to waste money buying a drink and striking up conversation with people in a shallow way. That's how it felt anyway.

This morning:

Woke up around 9am, went to help a 4th year friend with a health fair. I took blood pressure and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it.
During the course of the 2 hr shift, I was introduced as one of the CMA leaders by the pastor at the site (this was held at a church/coffeehouse building) to a really nice lady, and she was just really encouraging to me as a sister in Christ. Then she sent her daughter, who was also affirming and encouraging. Apparently, a Christian doctor is a rarity (or from there experiences with the medical system) and they were just so happy to hear about CMA and the presence of Christians amidst doctors.
Then another lady, also warm but even more open about God and her faith in Him, also was affirming in my path towards medicine. Well, then she shared she was a Muslim - the whole time I had thought that our talks of God were in the framework of the Christian mindset, so I was taken aback, but her effusive love for God and for me were just amazing. I guess when I still think of Islam I think about the Middle East and terrorists, but to experience the love-filled Islamic faith of this African-American lady helped correct my misperceptions about that group of people.
There was someone who was tabling next to me and it turns out after some conversation that we both graduated from the same undergrad AND during the same year! Small world, but big enough where we never met during college and only 2 years after graduating.
Another guy tabling next to me was telling me how he had 5 brothers - and how all 5 were from the same mother who was a prostitute in St. Paul and were adopted together (they're also all 1 year apart, so I joked with him that he could have his own basketball team =). But an amazing story of redemption... not sure if he was a brother in Christ or not, but definitely the story is amazing.
Clearly, this morning trumps anything that happened late last night after the movie.

Alright, onto a few hours of studying before I check out Saturday services at the Journey church with a friend, just to check it out.