brains, brains

So, since Spring Break, I have taken two tests worth 47% of my physiology grade, started two new subjects, revisited the smell of formalin, and become obsessed with Sister Wives. It's been busy.

After (and during) our little round of tests (biostatistics final, respiratory physiology test, phys cumulative final, and phys board), I took as many breaks as I could. One night I watched TV with some friends, and we were flipping through the channels and discovered Sister Wives, the greatest show on television. It is fascinating. A little disturbing, but fascinating. We like to learn about the intricacies of the multiple marriages and the relationships between the wives and children. And we have a lot of questions about their living situation (Does each mom have a section of the house? A kitchen? Surely there are separate bedrooms. How big is this house? How much milk must they go through? OMG KODY'S MOM AND SECOND WIFE JANELLE'S MOM ARE MARRIED TO THE SAME MAN!! [but never fear - they're not half siblings, so it isn't weird]). So now I'm glued to the TV every Sunday night. Hopefully my new classes won't interfere.

Speaking of which, we started neurobiology and psychiatry last Thursday and Friday, respectively. The amount of information is a little overwhelming, but it's really interesting. The brain is like a big puzzle, and I like figuring it out. Innervation was one of my favorite things about gross anatomy, as well. I love reasoning out which nerve must be injured based on muscle or sensory deficiencies. Nerdy, yes, but fun.

I know I briefly mentioned our nursing home patient before, but I never told you how it went! We've gone to visit our patient three times now, and they are just wonderful. So sweet to us! It's been fun to go visit, so Savannah and I intend to keep in touch even after our assignments are over. Today we practiced administering a mini-mental status exam to our patient, and they passed with flying colors. We were really lucky to get a mentally sound, very friendly patient, so we have had a good time.

I had a very eventful weekend the last couple days. First, my friend Sarah got engaged to this wonderful boy who is taking her away from me to work at the University of Florida. Then I saw one of my very oldest friends (think age 2) marry another close friend of mine in a beautiful, simple ceremony. Definitely got emotional at that one, but was soon distracted by working the oh-so-chaotic punch table. Then I spent some time with family and an assortment of Starkville friends. It was a good time. Then, of course, Sister Wives last night. That goes without saying.

Today I managed to stay out of the Tornado Death Storm and made it home about a half hour before the sirens went off. Those stupid things make me skittish like a horse. I do not care for tornadoes. I was holed up in my little hallway with some ginger ale, Wheat Thins, laptop, phone, and remote control. I'm actually still sitting in my hallway, even though the tornado warning ended thirty minutes ago. But I survived. I saw that the field meteorologists for the Weather Channel were in Starkville today, which is terrifying. But Jim Cantore wasn't there, so things were good. In case you didn't know, he is always where the worst of the storm is. Always. If you see him, you may feel the need to ask for an autograph. But resist. Run in the opposite direction, because that spinning vortex of doom is headed right for him. This is the kind of thing you learn when you watch the Weather Channel every morning like an old lady. That's right, I play mah jongg, too.

I have some sad news. My first fish that I got from Savannah last semester (Steve the girl fish) died. Amarillo (second fish) went a little nuts for a few days, but after a two-week mourning period, we were happy to welcome Rasputine into our little family. They seem to be best friends now, so everyone is happy. Especially Savannah, who is dealing with a guppy population growth problem and is always looking to hand out a few fish.

Okay, loves, that will have to do for now. Going to fight the Hottentots.

cheers
Erin