I have been doing nothing but keeping up on the situation in San Pedro via this web site and contacting the Red Cross to make sure the people down there are getting all the help we can send them.

I have read the postings from other students bitching about the school, and I have read the postings from people bitching that we left first.

First, students need to wake up and realize this was a NATURAL DISASTER and there was NO WAY of knowing Keith was coming in that fast, but the school went above and beyond what any other medical school would have done to make sure we were safe and to make sure we made it back to the mainland. Yes, things could have been better but that is not always possible.

Second, to everyone out there who thinks the students should have stayed, let me tell you. A group did stay the night to dispense any available food and supplies. The students were not given a choice, we HAD to leave the island. And last of all, what good would we have done? Our education is barely even begun. Yes, we could help with clean up but at what cost to those already there? We would be more of a burden than a help by staying there. We are now to go to Florida to finish the semester and we will more than likely return to the island in January for next semester.

Personally, I love the people of San Pedro and I love Ambergris. I hope to some day return and practice there. Right now I am just as worried about the people I left behind, so all I or anyone here in the US can do is pray, and send all the help we can.

Please people, stop the bitching. It doesn't help anyone nor will it change anything. Move past it. If you are that upset by it, then don't continue with SMU or find a way to change what went wrong.

My prayers are with everyone in San Pedro. Trevor, Kristian... take care of each other for me. I miss you all.