Gracious, I did not mean to go two weeks without telling you anything! It's been lots of studying for me lately, so I haven't been thinking about blogging. So sorry.
It is the beginning of the end. Since Thanksgiving, I have taken two tests. That is, two out of TEN. Yes, ten. 10. Diez. Dix. Dieci. But, we're getting there. Histology will be over for the semester as of Friday afternoon, so that's exciting. Oh, and I did my final dissection in gross lab! I only have to take the practical, then I will never have to go in that smelly place again. I threw away some scrubs the other day, just because I could. It was quite liberating.
This past Saturday my friends that I study with and I went to the Claus Ball, which is a cocktail party for the whole med center. We counted 15 M1's there, including us, which means only 122 of our classmates were at home studying instead...
Unfortunately I will be studying for the next two weeks, so I may not be able to write much in the near future. But when biochemistry and gross anatomy are over, it will all be worth it. Until then,
Erin
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
deep breath, everybody
Okay. So. Here's what's been happening:
1. Lots of tests. Lots of studying. More tests. More studying.
2. Last test. Gross lab. Home.
3. Cookie dough. Memoirs of a Geisha. Lots of deep breathing.
4. Shopping.
5. No studying.
6. Panic because I haven't been studying and don't know anything about anything.
7. Furious studying for about a day.
8. Mental shutdown. Hummus. Cookie dough.
9. Thanksgiving!!
After a few weeks of what seemed like interminable studying/test cycles, we finally got a break. I have thus far used this break to restore my mental capacity, panic about school, and lose mental capacity all over again. Now I have reached that dangerous place where all I can think about is going home for Thanksgiving and taking lots of naps.
1. Lots of tests. Lots of studying. More tests. More studying.
2. Last test. Gross lab. Home.
3. Cookie dough. Memoirs of a Geisha. Lots of deep breathing.
4. Shopping.
5. No studying.
6. Panic because I haven't been studying and don't know anything about anything.
7. Furious studying for about a day.
8. Mental shutdown. Hummus. Cookie dough.
9. Thanksgiving!!
After a few weeks of what seemed like interminable studying/test cycles, we finally got a break. I have thus far used this break to restore my mental capacity, panic about school, and lose mental capacity all over again. Now I have reached that dangerous place where all I can think about is going home for Thanksgiving and taking lots of naps.
Lately we've been studying hematology in our physiology class, which I find incredibly interesting. First of all, physiology is just awesome. It's biological engineering in practice! I see graphs and equations and it makes me happy (and hearing the panicked whimpers of my biochemistry-major classmates makes me giggle a little). But secondly, hematology (the study of blood) is quite fascinating. I guess this is a good sign, because if I do an oncology fellowship in the future (many, many years in the future), it will most likely be a combined hematology/oncology fellowship. Plus, the new professor is a BE grad from State, so of course he is the best around. That's just how we roll.
Tomorrow I'm going home for Thanksgiving. Here's what I predict will happen: studying gross, studying biochem, reading Vogue, eating turkey and other deliciousness, taking naps, playing with a skull, hanging with the family, and more naps. Except for the studying, which will probably be minimal anyway, it's going to be a good week.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
toobusyforspaces
So, it's been a hectic couple weeks. I shouldn't even be typing this right now. I should be studying oxidative phosphorylation and all other types of biochemical pathways. But, it's been a long time, and I don't want anyone to think I've died or been maimed or something.
On Monday we had four tests again: a light histology test, developmental anatomy, and gross written and practicals. All the grades are in, and it was a complete victory! Getting a 100 on that histo test was the best reward for a week of studying, even if that particular test only counted for about 4% of my grade in a class worth not much more than that of my whole year. I take what I can get. That, combined with B's on developmental and gross written and an A on gross practical, equals a win.
Coming up on Monday are some biggies. Biochemistry and physiology, together covering about 30 lectures (more than a college midterm). If I can survive until Tuesday, I'll be home free. I'll have time to do things like shop for groceries, buy a dining room table, and maybe even spend time with friends that doesn't involve lying on the floor dramatically like on "Grey's Anatomy" because you think you're going to fail and don't know anything I'm talking to you Savannah.
Here are some things that have happened recently:
I got a skull to study now that we've moved on to head and neck in gross. It would cost me $3900 to replace should anything happen to it. Ken the lab master said that if I didn't have the money, they would replace it with mine. I said he could have it.
Our current physiology professor said, "To be a sword swallower, you have to have a strong desire to make a living without being productive." So true, so true.
I found a new appreciation for Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I bought some t-shirts celebrating Movember, my new favorite time of the year. If you're unfamiliar, apparently November is the month for men to grow a mustache in support of men's health awareness. This has brought so much joy to my life. Watching my classmates grow mustaches is hilarious and a little surreal, because it suddenly feels like I'm at school in the 1910s. Some of them look more mature, like I should take them seriously, and others look more like creepers. So far none of them look like Tom Selleck, though, which is a shame, a dang shame. I genuinely enjoy the 'staches, though. They make me happy. Plus, they're raising money for prostate cancer research, which is awesome (and the M1's are kicking tail, which is even more awesome). I'm hoping they all look like this:
A girl can dream...
On a completely unrelated note, today was one of my favorite days in med school so far. This afternoon I went on a visit to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU, pronounced "knee-cue"). It was awesome. A) We got to scrub in, which made me feel like a real doctor; B) I hadn't forgotten everything the geneticist had taught us and was able to have an intelligent conversation with the man; and C) the babies are super-duper, make-your-ovaries-hurt cute. Between this afternoon and hearing a family physician speak earlier today about his work in Honduras and during Katrina, I had a day full of reminders about why I'm doing this to myself. I got to talk to a couple M3s about life on the other side, and I was overwhelmed with how blessed I am to be able to do what I'm doing. Sometimes you just need a little perspective.
I promise I will blog again sooner, but it will probably be next week because I'll be living at the classroom wing with my study buddies, and the UMMC wireless won't let me use blogger. I hate being held down by the man.
Until then, peace, love, and prostates. Happy Movember, everybody.
On Monday we had four tests again: a light histology test, developmental anatomy, and gross written and practicals. All the grades are in, and it was a complete victory! Getting a 100 on that histo test was the best reward for a week of studying, even if that particular test only counted for about 4% of my grade in a class worth not much more than that of my whole year. I take what I can get. That, combined with B's on developmental and gross written and an A on gross practical, equals a win.
Coming up on Monday are some biggies. Biochemistry and physiology, together covering about 30 lectures (more than a college midterm). If I can survive until Tuesday, I'll be home free. I'll have time to do things like shop for groceries, buy a dining room table, and maybe even spend time with friends that doesn't involve lying on the floor dramatically like on "Grey's Anatomy" because you think you're going to fail and don't know anything I'm talking to you Savannah.
Here are some things that have happened recently:
I got a skull to study now that we've moved on to head and neck in gross. It would cost me $3900 to replace should anything happen to it. Ken the lab master said that if I didn't have the money, they would replace it with mine. I said he could have it.
Our current physiology professor said, "To be a sword swallower, you have to have a strong desire to make a living without being productive." So true, so true.
I found a new appreciation for Matthew 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I bought some t-shirts celebrating Movember, my new favorite time of the year. If you're unfamiliar, apparently November is the month for men to grow a mustache in support of men's health awareness. This has brought so much joy to my life. Watching my classmates grow mustaches is hilarious and a little surreal, because it suddenly feels like I'm at school in the 1910s. Some of them look more mature, like I should take them seriously, and others look more like creepers. So far none of them look like Tom Selleck, though, which is a shame, a dang shame. I genuinely enjoy the 'staches, though. They make me happy. Plus, they're raising money for prostate cancer research, which is awesome (and the M1's are kicking tail, which is even more awesome). I'm hoping they all look like this:
On a completely unrelated note, today was one of my favorite days in med school so far. This afternoon I went on a visit to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU, pronounced "knee-cue"). It was awesome. A) We got to scrub in, which made me feel like a real doctor; B) I hadn't forgotten everything the geneticist had taught us and was able to have an intelligent conversation with the man; and C) the babies are super-duper, make-your-ovaries-hurt cute. Between this afternoon and hearing a family physician speak earlier today about his work in Honduras and during Katrina, I had a day full of reminders about why I'm doing this to myself. I got to talk to a couple M3s about life on the other side, and I was overwhelmed with how blessed I am to be able to do what I'm doing. Sometimes you just need a little perspective.
I promise I will blog again sooner, but it will probably be next week because I'll be living at the classroom wing with my study buddies, and the UMMC wireless won't let me use blogger. I hate being held down by the man.
Until then, peace, love, and prostates. Happy Movember, everybody.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
my life in the mediterranean
Where were we? Ah, yes. Genitalia.
The day after last week's little trip through the nether regions, we split open the pelvis. Using a hacksaw. And a power saw. It was awesome and terrifying. One professor, who happens to be Egyptian and brilliant and very funny, was wielding his bonesaw like a machine gun, scowl and all. He also walked around with it held in the air, as if to say, "Bring me more spines! Arghh!"
Saturday was spent studying, which involved lots of reading, writing on a dry erase board, and eating Savannah's clementines. Seriously, she brought a dozen of them. There were still some in her backpack today so we could eat them at Bible study. Clementines up to our ears. But hey, we won't have scurvy (which is caused by a deficiency in Vitamin C, a key enzymatic cofactor in the hydroxylation of lysine and proline residues in collagen synthesis, synthesis of catecholamines, protection against free radical damage, and uptake of iron).
Speaking of Savannah and food, she brought lunch for both of us today (Bible study is at noon on Wednesdays and everyone brings their lunch). She got super excited about bringing food, so I said okay. Hummus was involved. Now, I have mentioned hummus before, but I don't think it came across how much I love the stuff. I eat it like it comes from a tap. It is for mealtime, snack-time, and in-between-time. I buy it at Fancy Kroger. We ate it at Aladdin's this weekend. I eat it with pita or Italian bread or, today, tortilla chips. Aside from the tortilla chips, I live the culinary life of a Mediterranean toddler. Vegetables? Pssh. Meat? Unnecessary. Fruit? Just clementines. Hummus and carbohydrates? YES.
I do occasionally eat other things, like the aforementioned vegetables, meat, and fruit. I even cook. For instance, I'm going to try my hand at making tabbouleh next week. They had really good tabbouleh at Aladdin's, and there's an awesome song about it here (same guy has a hummus song too; these were the theme songs of my apartment last year because one of my roommates had been to Lebanon and was a hummus junkie like me). But for the most part, I eat hummus.
Back to school. We had biochemistry and histology (written and practical) tests on Monday. They were hard and no fun at all. And again with the 8 to 5 testing? Come on, people. How am I supposed to get any therapeutic shopping done in five o'clock traffic?
I went to school at home yesterday. This is the best thing ever. I watched the podcasts of the lectures, but I could stop them to do a load of laundry or eat some more hummus. Apparently most M2s don't go to class but rather study this way. It has its appeal. The Nap Time portion of my school day was the best part. Surprisingly, they do not work that into the master schedule.
Today we had a few lectures, just like every day. We had an OB lecture scheduled, but the doctor was unavailable. Probably delivering a baby or something important like that. That just meant we could start our dissection early. Today was the gluteal region. Turns out, there is a lot of fat in that particular region. Not on me, of course, but I've heard other people call it a "problem area."
Oh, and speaking of fat! Zumba is way fun. I'm not as good at it as I thought, but I like the music and the dancing and the joy and laughter that it brings. Zumba is the sunshine and rainbows and unicorns of exercise. I will never try to force myself to run ever again. I can only DANCE!
I think that's all the exciting news for today. I'm going home (HOME!) this weekend, so I probably won't write again before next week. So until then, live life beautifully, because that's how God made it!
The day after last week's little trip through the nether regions, we split open the pelvis. Using a hacksaw. And a power saw. It was awesome and terrifying. One professor, who happens to be Egyptian and brilliant and very funny, was wielding his bonesaw like a machine gun, scowl and all. He also walked around with it held in the air, as if to say, "Bring me more spines! Arghh!"
Saturday was spent studying, which involved lots of reading, writing on a dry erase board, and eating Savannah's clementines. Seriously, she brought a dozen of them. There were still some in her backpack today so we could eat them at Bible study. Clementines up to our ears. But hey, we won't have scurvy (which is caused by a deficiency in Vitamin C, a key enzymatic cofactor in the hydroxylation of lysine and proline residues in collagen synthesis, synthesis of catecholamines, protection against free radical damage, and uptake of iron).
Speaking of Savannah and food, she brought lunch for both of us today (Bible study is at noon on Wednesdays and everyone brings their lunch). She got super excited about bringing food, so I said okay. Hummus was involved. Now, I have mentioned hummus before, but I don't think it came across how much I love the stuff. I eat it like it comes from a tap. It is for mealtime, snack-time, and in-between-time. I buy it at Fancy Kroger. We ate it at Aladdin's this weekend. I eat it with pita or Italian bread or, today, tortilla chips. Aside from the tortilla chips, I live the culinary life of a Mediterranean toddler. Vegetables? Pssh. Meat? Unnecessary. Fruit? Just clementines. Hummus and carbohydrates? YES.
I do occasionally eat other things, like the aforementioned vegetables, meat, and fruit. I even cook. For instance, I'm going to try my hand at making tabbouleh next week. They had really good tabbouleh at Aladdin's, and there's an awesome song about it here (same guy has a hummus song too; these were the theme songs of my apartment last year because one of my roommates had been to Lebanon and was a hummus junkie like me). But for the most part, I eat hummus.
Back to school. We had biochemistry and histology (written and practical) tests on Monday. They were hard and no fun at all. And again with the 8 to 5 testing? Come on, people. How am I supposed to get any therapeutic shopping done in five o'clock traffic?
I went to school at home yesterday. This is the best thing ever. I watched the podcasts of the lectures, but I could stop them to do a load of laundry or eat some more hummus. Apparently most M2s don't go to class but rather study this way. It has its appeal. The Nap Time portion of my school day was the best part. Surprisingly, they do not work that into the master schedule.
Today we had a few lectures, just like every day. We had an OB lecture scheduled, but the doctor was unavailable. Probably delivering a baby or something important like that. That just meant we could start our dissection early. Today was the gluteal region. Turns out, there is a lot of fat in that particular region. Not on me, of course, but I've heard other people call it a "problem area."
Oh, and speaking of fat! Zumba is way fun. I'm not as good at it as I thought, but I like the music and the dancing and the joy and laughter that it brings. Zumba is the sunshine and rainbows and unicorns of exercise. I will never try to force myself to run ever again. I can only DANCE!
I think that's all the exciting news for today. I'm going home (HOME!) this weekend, so I probably won't write again before next week. So until then, live life beautifully, because that's how God made it!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
this week..
Oh, this week. So many things have happened.
Monday was Test Day. Hard core. Physiology at 8, developmental anatomy at 10, gross written at 1, and gross practical at 3. Testing from 8-5 is no good. That morning between developmental and gross, I was sitting around with several people in the atrium between the hospital and Methodist Rehab eating lunch and "studying." Our conversations went mostly like this:
"Is the suprarenal gland innervated by preganglionic or postganglionic nerve fibers?"
"I have no idea."
*hysterical laughter*
Apparently delirium is not good for group studying. There was a sense of doom about the whole thing.
Tuesday we had a Gross lecture (I feel Gross needs to be capitalized so you don't think I mean the lecture was actually disgusting, although sometimes the two are interchangeable) that was really good. This was our first class with this professor and he turned out to be a great lecturer, but, unfortunately, it was about the pelvis and the perineum. Do not Google perineum at work.
It turns out that talking about genitalia can still elicit giggles from most of us, at least in the beginning. I managed to be all serious and professional for a little while, but then the professor decided to orient us on picture we were seeing. He proceeded to lie on the table and tell us, "Just imagine you're lying on this table and a naked person is standing over you with their legs spread." I was a goner. At least he didn't spread his legs for us like we all thought he was about to. I don't think I would have bounced back from that as quickly.
Today was filled with many interesting moments. First, I was studying in the atrium again, but there were multiple screaming children. I mean, screaming. It was awful. Then, I went up to histology lab and had an surreal pseudo-encounter.
The histo and gross labs are on the seventh floor, which is also home to the attached hospital's psychiatric unit. I can only assume this is so they can drag people who freak out in gross lab down the hall with minimal effort. As I got off the hospital elevators, there was a man sitting in one of the chairs in the hall. He was slouched down like he was asleep, and he had a hat and sunglasses on, so I assumed the very much awake preschooler next to him was unattended. I smile at Preschooler and start walking away. As I pass by him, I hear, quite loudly, "Mommy?" I didn't know what to do, so I just walked by. What was I supposed to say? "Sorry, sweetie, but your Mommy might be in a padded room 20 yards behind that large steel door"? I did not want to have the, No, I'm not your Mommy, conversation in front of this person who might be his father and who may or may not have been awake. The discomfort level was high, so I bailed and let "Dad" handle the situation. I hope I didn't scar that kid for life.
This afternoon we were shown how to do a pelvic exam. We get to practice next year on the models she had today, and I can't say I'm looking forward to doing them on a real person. The guest lecturer was really entertaining, though. You know how when the doctor looks in your ears he might say, "Looks good"? Apparently it is impolite to say, "Feels good," when your hand is inside a person's pelvis.
That is all the exciting news I have for the moment. I'm going to go eat some hummus before Grey's Night at Savannah's. If any other insane, child-related incidents or traumatizing mutilations occur tomorrow, I'll let you know.
Monday was Test Day. Hard core. Physiology at 8, developmental anatomy at 10, gross written at 1, and gross practical at 3. Testing from 8-5 is no good. That morning between developmental and gross, I was sitting around with several people in the atrium between the hospital and Methodist Rehab eating lunch and "studying." Our conversations went mostly like this:
"Is the suprarenal gland innervated by preganglionic or postganglionic nerve fibers?"
"I have no idea."
*hysterical laughter*
Apparently delirium is not good for group studying. There was a sense of doom about the whole thing.
Tuesday we had a Gross lecture (I feel Gross needs to be capitalized so you don't think I mean the lecture was actually disgusting, although sometimes the two are interchangeable) that was really good. This was our first class with this professor and he turned out to be a great lecturer, but, unfortunately, it was about the pelvis and the perineum. Do not Google perineum at work.
It turns out that talking about genitalia can still elicit giggles from most of us, at least in the beginning. I managed to be all serious and professional for a little while, but then the professor decided to orient us on picture we were seeing. He proceeded to lie on the table and tell us, "Just imagine you're lying on this table and a naked person is standing over you with their legs spread." I was a goner. At least he didn't spread his legs for us like we all thought he was about to. I don't think I would have bounced back from that as quickly.
Today was filled with many interesting moments. First, I was studying in the atrium again, but there were multiple screaming children. I mean, screaming. It was awful. Then, I went up to histology lab and had an surreal pseudo-encounter.
The histo and gross labs are on the seventh floor, which is also home to the attached hospital's psychiatric unit. I can only assume this is so they can drag people who freak out in gross lab down the hall with minimal effort. As I got off the hospital elevators, there was a man sitting in one of the chairs in the hall. He was slouched down like he was asleep, and he had a hat and sunglasses on, so I assumed the very much awake preschooler next to him was unattended. I smile at Preschooler and start walking away. As I pass by him, I hear, quite loudly, "Mommy?" I didn't know what to do, so I just walked by. What was I supposed to say? "Sorry, sweetie, but your Mommy might be in a padded room 20 yards behind that large steel door"? I did not want to have the, No, I'm not your Mommy, conversation in front of this person who might be his father and who may or may not have been awake. The discomfort level was high, so I bailed and let "Dad" handle the situation. I hope I didn't scar that kid for life.
This afternoon we were shown how to do a pelvic exam. We get to practice next year on the models she had today, and I can't say I'm looking forward to doing them on a real person. The guest lecturer was really entertaining, though. You know how when the doctor looks in your ears he might say, "Looks good"? Apparently it is impolite to say, "Feels good," when your hand is inside a person's pelvis.
That is all the exciting news I have for the moment. I'm going to go eat some hummus before Grey's Night at Savannah's. If any other insane, child-related incidents or traumatizing mutilations occur tomorrow, I'll let you know.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
winning
Anyone who was ever won anything will tell you that it takes diligence. Motivation and determination are key, and you cannot give up the fight at the first sign of difficulty. I know what you're thinking. "Gosh, Erin. How profound of you. You are the most disciplined medical student ever." Well, that may be true (or probably not), but I'm actually talking about my war against The Smell. Yesterday at lunch, I discovered that not all my classmates are as dogged in their anti-stink efforts as I. I, on the other hand, am sitting here sniffing various body parts, checking for any hint of smell, which will be eradicated upon discovery. For this, I win.
We had a pretty light day class-wise today (and this week, really), even though we had a long lab this afternoon. I did discover that I can entertain myself with four almonds and a Ziploc bag for several minutes when the teacher stops talking about cool things like how insects and birds fly and switches to boring things like why Sammy Sosa took creatine supplements, which was about 10 minutes of class today. Look, an almond square! An almond kite! An almond flower! A straight line! An almond swastika!
That last one was sort of an accident. I then proceeded to pick up the bag of almonds, drop it, and interpret the results like one would read tea leaves. "Hmm. The financial wellness almond landed far south. That can't be good." Then the professor started talking about muscles and exercise and I tuned back in, because I find that all fascinating.
Speaking of exercise, I recently ordered Zumba, the Latin dance workout. I'm so excited it makes my face hurt. Many of you are aware of my affinity for Hispanic culture and a good beat, so it should come as no surprise that after seeing the infomercial it took me about 24 hours of restraint before I simply had to have it. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm anticipating good things.
Tonight I will be spending some quality time with gross anatomy. As much as I tend to detest the lab, I really do like the subject and learning where everything is supposed to be. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I'll be able to tell you which organ is going crazy when you point to your stomach and say, "It hurts here." I can't wait!
We had a pretty light day class-wise today (and this week, really), even though we had a long lab this afternoon. I did discover that I can entertain myself with four almonds and a Ziploc bag for several minutes when the teacher stops talking about cool things like how insects and birds fly and switches to boring things like why Sammy Sosa took creatine supplements, which was about 10 minutes of class today. Look, an almond square! An almond kite! An almond flower! A straight line! An almond swastika!
That last one was sort of an accident. I then proceeded to pick up the bag of almonds, drop it, and interpret the results like one would read tea leaves. "Hmm. The financial wellness almond landed far south. That can't be good." Then the professor started talking about muscles and exercise and I tuned back in, because I find that all fascinating.
Speaking of exercise, I recently ordered Zumba, the Latin dance workout. I'm so excited it makes my face hurt. Many of you are aware of my affinity for Hispanic culture and a good beat, so it should come as no surprise that after seeing the infomercial it took me about 24 hours of restraint before I simply had to have it. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm anticipating good things.
Tonight I will be spending some quality time with gross anatomy. As much as I tend to detest the lab, I really do like the subject and learning where everything is supposed to be. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I'll be able to tell you which organ is going crazy when you point to your stomach and say, "It hurts here." I can't wait!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
kroger
The other day I went to Old Navy just to see what they had. The answer turned out to be nothing much. BUT I found these sunglasses. They were marked as $9.50. So I was all, "Cool. I'm-a get me some cheap sunglasses." Then I went to the register. She scanned the shades, I swiped my card, then she said, "That'll be 51 cents." My excitement was great, though tempered by my feelings of silliness at having used a debit card for a 51-cent transaction. Then a girl at school complimented my new sunglasses, and I felt all awesome and stuff.
But I told you that story to tell you this story. Today I went to Kroger because I was out of hummus and chocolate, which is an unacceptable situation. The Kroger in my new town is fancy. It's clean, the people are friendly, and the freezer section has lights that only come on as you walk by (which makes you feel like you have all kinds of power). It took a while to get used to the different arrangement, but now, after a few unfortunate instances of wandering around looking for salsa, I'm a huge fan. Last time I went, I walked around with my little arm basket with sunflowers and Italian bread feeling very European and grown up. Contrast that with today.
I wasn't there for long. I grabbed the hummus (roasted garlic instead of classic, because they were out, but we'll talk about that later) and got to the self-checkout line. Somewhere in the middle of scanning and bagging a mere five things, my new, 51-cent sunglasses fell out of my shirt pocket and onto the floor. Annoyed at this mild inconvenience, I looked down to find my sunglasses had skidded across the clean floors under the register, halfway to the next aisle. I thought about what to do for a minute, then decided to play it cool. I finished scanning, paid, put my little basket away, then had a very fast, very intense little debate in my head.
Sure, the sunglasses were only 51-cents. But that had been a surprising triumph! And it had come at the cost of a slightly embarrassing debit card charge. I didn't want to lose them and let that whole experience go to waste. But did I want to get all the way down on the floor to retrieve them? Did I want to risk being judged in my fancy new Kroger? What if they banned me from the store? Where would I get hummus?! The Wal-Mart is entirely too far away, and its relative uncleanliness and stealthy, ninja-like staff would be too much of a let-down after that to which I had so quickly became accustomed. So I just got down, hoping there weren't any cute Army guys around like there were the last time (when I had fortunately walked around all graceful-like with those sunflowers), desperately tried to get my sunglasses as quickly as I could, using my wallet to swat them toward me, got up, and flew out of there like it was about to blow. I didn't make eye contact with anyone, so maybe they won't recognize me when I try to come back.
My disappointment at having to purchase the Roasted Garlic hummus rather than Classic (because switching brands had burned me once before) was great, but I decided to be open-minded and try it when I got home. Basically, it was normal hummus with this pile of oddly-orange roasted garlickiness in the middle. My friend Amanda had told me that she had to get some of this before, and she ate around the stuff, but I wanted to be bold. I tried a little, and it was okay. I mixed it around a little bit, dipped in my pita wedge, and had a happy little snack. I figured, as long as I don't have to kiss anyone within an hour or so, I'd be fine. But the garlic lingered. Oh, how it lingered. Then I went to the kitchen for some Diet Dr. Pepper (or DDP, as I like to call it) to remedy this situation. Then I noticed a little green banner on my pita that said, "Tasty Onion." No stinkin wonder. That's the double whammy of people-repelling food odors. Fortunately the garlic part of my hummus is now gone, but I still can't go out in public for a while.
I wonder if eating chocolate would help. Since I have such an agile and curious mind, I think I must find out. In the name of discovery, people.
But I told you that story to tell you this story. Today I went to Kroger because I was out of hummus and chocolate, which is an unacceptable situation. The Kroger in my new town is fancy. It's clean, the people are friendly, and the freezer section has lights that only come on as you walk by (which makes you feel like you have all kinds of power). It took a while to get used to the different arrangement, but now, after a few unfortunate instances of wandering around looking for salsa, I'm a huge fan. Last time I went, I walked around with my little arm basket with sunflowers and Italian bread feeling very European and grown up. Contrast that with today.
I wasn't there for long. I grabbed the hummus (roasted garlic instead of classic, because they were out, but we'll talk about that later) and got to the self-checkout line. Somewhere in the middle of scanning and bagging a mere five things, my new, 51-cent sunglasses fell out of my shirt pocket and onto the floor. Annoyed at this mild inconvenience, I looked down to find my sunglasses had skidded across the clean floors under the register, halfway to the next aisle. I thought about what to do for a minute, then decided to play it cool. I finished scanning, paid, put my little basket away, then had a very fast, very intense little debate in my head.
Sure, the sunglasses were only 51-cents. But that had been a surprising triumph! And it had come at the cost of a slightly embarrassing debit card charge. I didn't want to lose them and let that whole experience go to waste. But did I want to get all the way down on the floor to retrieve them? Did I want to risk being judged in my fancy new Kroger? What if they banned me from the store? Where would I get hummus?! The Wal-Mart is entirely too far away, and its relative uncleanliness and stealthy, ninja-like staff would be too much of a let-down after that to which I had so quickly became accustomed. So I just got down, hoping there weren't any cute Army guys around like there were the last time (when I had fortunately walked around all graceful-like with those sunflowers), desperately tried to get my sunglasses as quickly as I could, using my wallet to swat them toward me, got up, and flew out of there like it was about to blow. I didn't make eye contact with anyone, so maybe they won't recognize me when I try to come back.
My disappointment at having to purchase the Roasted Garlic hummus rather than Classic (because switching brands had burned me once before) was great, but I decided to be open-minded and try it when I got home. Basically, it was normal hummus with this pile of oddly-orange roasted garlickiness in the middle. My friend Amanda had told me that she had to get some of this before, and she ate around the stuff, but I wanted to be bold. I tried a little, and it was okay. I mixed it around a little bit, dipped in my pita wedge, and had a happy little snack. I figured, as long as I don't have to kiss anyone within an hour or so, I'd be fine. But the garlic lingered. Oh, how it lingered. Then I went to the kitchen for some Diet Dr. Pepper (or DDP, as I like to call it) to remedy this situation. Then I noticed a little green banner on my pita that said, "Tasty Onion." No stinkin wonder. That's the double whammy of people-repelling food odors. Fortunately the garlic part of my hummus is now gone, but I still can't go out in public for a while.
I wonder if eating chocolate would help. Since I have such an agile and curious mind, I think I must find out. In the name of discovery, people.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
change in taste
I remember the days when my friends and I used to watch funny YouTube videos together and laugh and laugh and dance through the sunshine, skipping and holding hands. Ah, those halcyon days of carefree college youth.
Below are two examples of the kind of YouTube videos that get sent around by med students. Less than halcyon, my friend, but oh, so helpful. These are also two topics that we are studying or will be studying soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOdcaNw3IA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u8Sgi8w50I
I learned the first verse of the circulation song from an aspirin commercial in high school, and it has stuck with me ever since. Apparently, if I could learn everything in song, I would remember all this stuff FOREVER. Then I could finally make My Life: The Musical, which is really an exciting enterprise.
Below are two examples of the kind of YouTube videos that get sent around by med students. Less than halcyon, my friend, but oh, so helpful. These are also two topics that we are studying or will be studying soon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOdcaNw3IA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u8Sgi8w50I
I learned the first verse of the circulation song from an aspirin commercial in high school, and it has stuck with me ever since. Apparently, if I could learn everything in song, I would remember all this stuff FOREVER. Then I could finally make My Life: The Musical, which is really an exciting enterprise.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
catch up
All righty, where were we? Oh yes, the lungs. It was brought to my attention that my last post had a confusing statement. My parents are both still alive and cigarette-free. So now we have that straight.
On Friday we cut out the heart! The thorax really is interesting. So many important things sit all together right there, with very little protecting it. And it's weird to hold a human heart in your hands. And a little slippery.
I got good news on all my tests last week! Then I had a great weekend at home, but now the tests loom once more, so I'm back to the books. We have started physiology this week, which is super exciting. Physiology is all about how your body works, and it's one of my favorite things to study. Also, in biological engineering we had a class called Physiological Systems, so we have a head start on the uber-technical parts of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Like, using equations to describe them, technical. Maybe overkill for this class, but it can't hurt! Thanks, Dr. Cathcart!
My sainted aunt sent me all sorts of little decorations and things for my apartment, making it look a little less like a hobo lives there and more like a person. I'll try to put up some pictures soon, but not until it's super cute. It's getting there, slowly but surely.
A few more tidbits about my life:
Book I'm reading ... Stuff Christians Like
Show I'm watching ... Glee
Subject I'm studying ... Histology
Tune in next time to hear more about the wonderful world of medical school!
On Friday we cut out the heart! The thorax really is interesting. So many important things sit all together right there, with very little protecting it. And it's weird to hold a human heart in your hands. And a little slippery.
I got good news on all my tests last week! Then I had a great weekend at home, but now the tests loom once more, so I'm back to the books. We have started physiology this week, which is super exciting. Physiology is all about how your body works, and it's one of my favorite things to study. Also, in biological engineering we had a class called Physiological Systems, so we have a head start on the uber-technical parts of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Like, using equations to describe them, technical. Maybe overkill for this class, but it can't hurt! Thanks, Dr. Cathcart!
My sainted aunt sent me all sorts of little decorations and things for my apartment, making it look a little less like a hobo lives there and more like a person. I'll try to put up some pictures soon, but not until it's super cute. It's getting there, slowly but surely.
A few more tidbits about my life:
Book I'm reading ... Stuff Christians Like
Show I'm watching ... Glee
Subject I'm studying ... Histology
Tune in next time to hear more about the wonderful world of medical school!
Monday, September 20, 2010
dem bones, dem bones
Today, we had tests. That's all we did - test and study. Developmental anatomy was in the morning, and it wasn't difficult at all. That or I was more prepared than I thought, which is always a good thing! Then this afternoon was our first gross anatomy written test and practical. They were both okay. Just okay. But maybe it'll turn out better than expected. How's that for glass half-full?
Even though it's only Monday, I'm really looking forward to going home this weekend. But we have a lot to do between now and then!
Tests are the only thing I have to update with (or maybe they're just the most present thing in my mind), so now I'm going to go eat cookies and watch The Devil Wears Prada. I hope you all have a fabulous week!
Even though it's only Monday, I'm really looking forward to going home this weekend. But we have a lot to do between now and then!
Tests are the only thing I have to update with (or maybe they're just the most present thing in my mind), so now I'm going to go eat cookies and watch The Devil Wears Prada. I hope you all have a fabulous week!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
what's med school like?
My cousin Danny came down to interview at UMC today! He goes to West Point, so he had to wear his dress whites, which garnered quite a few impressed looks. But he felt good about his interview afterward, so I'm hoping he'll get good news next month! In other good news, I did well on the second biochemistry test this week. I'm not failing med school! Yay!
So, an interesting turn of events happened regarding my future specialty. I still want to do oncology, but I had previously been leaning toward radiation oncology. Then a radiation oncologist came to talk to us about the specialty and what they do. He also said that in order to be competitive for a residency position, one needs to be published at least three times. 1) I have very little chance of doing that in the next four years; 2) I wasn't really drawn to the field itself as he described it. So, my mind switched over to medical oncology (because surgical is right out). Fortunately, the internal medicine department hosted yet another of our free lunches/info sessions. Since I would need to do my residency in medicine in order to be a medical oncology, I was suddenly very interested. So that's where we are now. Internal medicine 1, radiation oncology 0.
One question I get asked a lot (besides, "How's med school?") is, "What is your schedule like?" This questions is usually posed by future med students/interviewees, and I want to answer all their questions, so here goes.
6:00 I get up. Usually I think to myself, "My, it's early. What time will the sun come up today?"
7:00 I leave my apartment. I usually leave at this time even if I don't have class at 8, because I know there's studying or reading ahead or something that needs to be done. I leave this early to beat traffic and be able to read my Bible in my car before class, which is something I need to schedule into my day to maintain sanity.
8:00 (or 9, or 10) Class begins. For the most part, we have 4 or 5 hours of lecture or other activity scheduled, some of which is mandatory, some not. This also includes a couple hours each week that is "self-study." Typically there is an hour-long break in the morning, and we have 12-1 off for lunch.
1:00 (or 2), 1-2 times a week: Gross lab. On these days the time I leave depends on the length of the dissection. Then I go home and shower and do laundry immediately. Remember, this is a war, people.
When I get home, I usually have a snack (or dinner, depending on the time). Then I study (hopefully). On non-lab days, I shower at 9 and hit the sack by 10. And on and on it goes.
One day, I intend to put pictures up so you can see the places and people I mention. And I started a twitter account so I can share the things I forget by the end of the day when I write blog posts. My username is erinknewman, so follow me!
I'll be studying all weekend for the first gross and developmental anatomy tests on Monday, so I probably won't post before Monday or Tuesday. But I know you'll be anxiously awaiting news, and I like to keep the people happy.
So, an interesting turn of events happened regarding my future specialty. I still want to do oncology, but I had previously been leaning toward radiation oncology. Then a radiation oncologist came to talk to us about the specialty and what they do. He also said that in order to be competitive for a residency position, one needs to be published at least three times. 1) I have very little chance of doing that in the next four years; 2) I wasn't really drawn to the field itself as he described it. So, my mind switched over to medical oncology (because surgical is right out). Fortunately, the internal medicine department hosted yet another of our free lunches/info sessions. Since I would need to do my residency in medicine in order to be a medical oncology, I was suddenly very interested. So that's where we are now. Internal medicine 1, radiation oncology 0.
One question I get asked a lot (besides, "How's med school?") is, "What is your schedule like?" This questions is usually posed by future med students/interviewees, and I want to answer all their questions, so here goes.
6:00 I get up. Usually I think to myself, "My, it's early. What time will the sun come up today?"
7:00 I leave my apartment. I usually leave at this time even if I don't have class at 8, because I know there's studying or reading ahead or something that needs to be done. I leave this early to beat traffic and be able to read my Bible in my car before class, which is something I need to schedule into my day to maintain sanity.
8:00 (or 9, or 10) Class begins. For the most part, we have 4 or 5 hours of lecture or other activity scheduled, some of which is mandatory, some not. This also includes a couple hours each week that is "self-study." Typically there is an hour-long break in the morning, and we have 12-1 off for lunch.
1:00 (or 2), 1-2 times a week: Gross lab. On these days the time I leave depends on the length of the dissection. Then I go home and shower and do laundry immediately. Remember, this is a war, people.
When I get home, I usually have a snack (or dinner, depending on the time). Then I study (hopefully). On non-lab days, I shower at 9 and hit the sack by 10. And on and on it goes.
One day, I intend to put pictures up so you can see the places and people I mention. And I started a twitter account so I can share the things I forget by the end of the day when I write blog posts. My username is erinknewman, so follow me!
I'll be studying all weekend for the first gross and developmental anatomy tests on Monday, so I probably won't post before Monday or Tuesday. But I know you'll be anxiously awaiting news, and I like to keep the people happy.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
practice makes perfect
Today we got to see exactly how much we still need to learn about gross anatomy! We had a practice practical this morning, meaning we got to pretend like we were taking a test. Sounds fun, yes? And, lucky me, I got to go at 8:30 (yes, on a Saturday) to help tag body parts. It turns out that I still have a good bit of reviewing to do, but that test isn't until next week. Today was also my first time going out in public after being in the lab. Since we didn't actually do any dissecting, I figured I didn't smell so bad and that it would be okay for me to go to Target to get laundry detergent so I could wash the only slightly-smelly clothes I was wearing. But I ran into Stacy, a recently-married friend from State, and that was super exciting.
This week: biochemistry! We have a test on Tuesday, so that's what I'll be doing the next few days. This block we had a really great teacher, and I think this is the last time we'll have him, which is really too bad. I like him a lot better as the engaging professor than as the interviewer playing devil's advocate as he asked me questions about vague ethical dilemmas, but maybe that's just me.
Is it possible for time to crawl and fly at the same time? It seems to creep slowly along every week, but then all of a sudden I've been in medical school for a month. I'm also pretty sure time ceases to exist during gross lab, which is a concept only theoretical physicists can solve for me. Speaking of which, "The Big Bang Theory" is always funny, no matter how many times you watch it. Believe me, I should know.
Moving on... I'm now going to learn about some really tiny stuff inside which some even tinier stuff interacts in ways that can alter your entire body's ability to function. It's neat and weird and awesome and sometimes I just love it.
This week: biochemistry! We have a test on Tuesday, so that's what I'll be doing the next few days. This block we had a really great teacher, and I think this is the last time we'll have him, which is really too bad. I like him a lot better as the engaging professor than as the interviewer playing devil's advocate as he asked me questions about vague ethical dilemmas, but maybe that's just me.
Is it possible for time to crawl and fly at the same time? It seems to creep slowly along every week, but then all of a sudden I've been in medical school for a month. I'm also pretty sure time ceases to exist during gross lab, which is a concept only theoretical physicists can solve for me. Speaking of which, "The Big Bang Theory" is always funny, no matter how many times you watch it. Believe me, I should know.
Moving on... I'm now going to learn about some really tiny stuff inside which some even tinier stuff interacts in ways that can alter your entire body's ability to function. It's neat and weird and awesome and sometimes I just love it.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Lizards and bones
I can't believe I forgot to mention this last time. Lindsey threw a lizard on me.
I thought we were friends. We've been buddies throughout this whole med school process. We sit near each other. We talk. Then, last week, a little lizard was on her leg and suddenly it all went away. In what she claims was a "reflex," she swatted the lizard off her leg and onto my foot. Fortunately, I never saw or felt the lizard throughout this whole incident. The lizard moved to my backpack, and a girl named Joan said, "It's just a lizard." This was a ridiculous statement to make. I mean, honestly. But it meant we could ask her to rid the classroom of the vile creature, which she did, bless her soul. I don't know what she did with it. I hope it's free and that Joan didn't eat it like Bear Grylls on Man vs. Wild. Because that would be gross.
SO. Yesterday we went to the gross anatomy lab for the first time. We didn't do any dissecting, but we picked up our boxes-o'-bones and met our cadavers. It was weird. The class is split into groups, and my group starts tomorrow. Fingers crossed that Erin doesn't pass out. That would be embarrassing. The smell isn't terrible, though, so maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe.
In developmental anatomy today we watched a video showing development up to the first seven weeks of life. The video does the whole gestation period, but we had to stop. I can't wait to finish it. They filmed development with a camera in the amniotic fluid, so we actually watched the embryo develop. By the way, a baby's skin is only a cell thick for the first several weeks, so you can see all the internal organs start to develop. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Seriously, wish you could have been there. Most of my class wasn't, though, because it was a review session, so you're actually not that far out of the loop.
I need to go read now. And maybe have a snack. Oh, the wild and crazy life I lead.
I thought we were friends. We've been buddies throughout this whole med school process. We sit near each other. We talk. Then, last week, a little lizard was on her leg and suddenly it all went away. In what she claims was a "reflex," she swatted the lizard off her leg and onto my foot. Fortunately, I never saw or felt the lizard throughout this whole incident. The lizard moved to my backpack, and a girl named Joan said, "It's just a lizard." This was a ridiculous statement to make. I mean, honestly. But it meant we could ask her to rid the classroom of the vile creature, which she did, bless her soul. I don't know what she did with it. I hope it's free and that Joan didn't eat it like Bear Grylls on Man vs. Wild. Because that would be gross.
SO. Yesterday we went to the gross anatomy lab for the first time. We didn't do any dissecting, but we picked up our boxes-o'-bones and met our cadavers. It was weird. The class is split into groups, and my group starts tomorrow. Fingers crossed that Erin doesn't pass out. That would be embarrassing. The smell isn't terrible, though, so maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe.
In developmental anatomy today we watched a video showing development up to the first seven weeks of life. The video does the whole gestation period, but we had to stop. I can't wait to finish it. They filmed development with a camera in the amniotic fluid, so we actually watched the embryo develop. By the way, a baby's skin is only a cell thick for the first several weeks, so you can see all the internal organs start to develop. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Seriously, wish you could have been there. Most of my class wasn't, though, because it was a review session, so you're actually not that far out of the loop.
I need to go read now. And maybe have a snack. Oh, the wild and crazy life I lead.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
From the beginning...
After intending to start my medical school blog "tomorrow" for about three weeks now, it has finally begun. We have a lot of catching up to do.
Orientation started on August 5th. I say started because it was a five-day process, mostly due to scheduling with the CEO of AAMC. We had our coating ceremony to receive our short white coats and spent a lot of time listening to people, much like we do in class now. This mostly consisted of people telling us a) to get involved in their organization, b) medical school is really hard but a really awesome experience, c) you cannot access medical records without a legitimate "need to know," even if your Mama calls you about Aunt Sally, or d) all of the above. Oh, and "marijuana is illegal."
It was funny how so much of the advice sounded exactly like what we were told about being Orientation Leaders, just more. For instance, it's going to be hard and time-consuming. We need to eat healthy and exercise. Time management is important. There will be one month that will be the busiest of your life (October, this time, rather than February). You are here to be a leader and to serve. Ultimately, it's not about you. You will make great friends. I don't remember Lindsey specifically saying that marijuana was illegal, but the implication was there. So I feel like I have a head start on some of my classmates.
Class finally started last Monday, the 16th. Since then we have had an entire undergraduate semester's worth of biochemistry, plus some histology and a little developmental anatomy. It's a lot to take in, but not overwhelming or panic-inducing, although you wouldn't know it to look at some of my classmates. Good gravy some of these people are nuts.
It's generally accepted that you retain about 90% of the material that you teach to someone else. If you're like me and have a tendency to be more distracted and chatty when trying to study around other people, this doesn't help you. But don't worry; I'm here to help. I've discovered a way to trick myself into teaching myself. I read things aloud, thereby forcing myself to make complete thoughts and sentences out of the material, which is mostly what teaching another person does for you. Also, since I study alone, I don't have anyone to hear me and think I'm crazy, especially when I switch to a foreign accent to keep things interesting.
Today was our first test, a block test on biochemistry and histology. I passed the biochem test and scored above the traditional average (don't know the class average yet), so I'm pleased. But I will do better on the next one! I will not be defeated! Histology posts their test answers on some door of some department somewhere in the research wing, like we're in the Stone Age with no internet (or maybe the 80's), so I'll have to hunt down those answers and see how I did. I was fairly confident about all but a few of my answers, so I'm hoping for good things.
Tomorrow begins Gross Anatomy. As best I can tell, we're sitting in a lecture and then picking up a box of vertebrae for self-study. Doesn't that sound like fun? Aren't you jealous? I know you are; you don't have to tell me. Actually, if you did, maybe it would make me more excited about smelling like formaldehyde for the next four months, so go right ahead.
Oh, and about the blog title. We had a doctor come in and give a presentation about "medical terminology." We were expecting something lecture-y, but it turned out to be his advice on med school and some examples of the terms patients would use to describe their illnesses. One patient had a "history of two bugs and a locust." That would be "tuberculosis." I personally like two bugs and a locust better.
Orientation started on August 5th. I say started because it was a five-day process, mostly due to scheduling with the CEO of AAMC. We had our coating ceremony to receive our short white coats and spent a lot of time listening to people, much like we do in class now. This mostly consisted of people telling us a) to get involved in their organization, b) medical school is really hard but a really awesome experience, c) you cannot access medical records without a legitimate "need to know," even if your Mama calls you about Aunt Sally, or d) all of the above. Oh, and "marijuana is illegal."
It was funny how so much of the advice sounded exactly like what we were told about being Orientation Leaders, just more. For instance, it's going to be hard and time-consuming. We need to eat healthy and exercise. Time management is important. There will be one month that will be the busiest of your life (October, this time, rather than February). You are here to be a leader and to serve. Ultimately, it's not about you. You will make great friends. I don't remember Lindsey specifically saying that marijuana was illegal, but the implication was there. So I feel like I have a head start on some of my classmates.
Class finally started last Monday, the 16th. Since then we have had an entire undergraduate semester's worth of biochemistry, plus some histology and a little developmental anatomy. It's a lot to take in, but not overwhelming or panic-inducing, although you wouldn't know it to look at some of my classmates. Good gravy some of these people are nuts.
It's generally accepted that you retain about 90% of the material that you teach to someone else. If you're like me and have a tendency to be more distracted and chatty when trying to study around other people, this doesn't help you. But don't worry; I'm here to help. I've discovered a way to trick myself into teaching myself. I read things aloud, thereby forcing myself to make complete thoughts and sentences out of the material, which is mostly what teaching another person does for you. Also, since I study alone, I don't have anyone to hear me and think I'm crazy, especially when I switch to a foreign accent to keep things interesting.
Today was our first test, a block test on biochemistry and histology. I passed the biochem test and scored above the traditional average (don't know the class average yet), so I'm pleased. But I will do better on the next one! I will not be defeated! Histology posts their test answers on some door of some department somewhere in the research wing, like we're in the Stone Age with no internet (or maybe the 80's), so I'll have to hunt down those answers and see how I did. I was fairly confident about all but a few of my answers, so I'm hoping for good things.
Tomorrow begins Gross Anatomy. As best I can tell, we're sitting in a lecture and then picking up a box of vertebrae for self-study. Doesn't that sound like fun? Aren't you jealous? I know you are; you don't have to tell me. Actually, if you did, maybe it would make me more excited about smelling like formaldehyde for the next four months, so go right ahead.
Oh, and about the blog title. We had a doctor come in and give a presentation about "medical terminology." We were expecting something lecture-y, but it turned out to be his advice on med school and some examples of the terms patients would use to describe their illnesses. One patient had a "history of two bugs and a locust." That would be "tuberculosis." I personally like two bugs and a locust better.
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