So, since we last spoke, I've gotten engaged!
Yes, it was a long time ago, but here's the skinny.
Our last day of the fall semester was December 20. We had a micro test that morning, then we were free. Carlisle and I had planned Christmaspalooza (because all celebrations ending with "-palooza" are more fun), one of our infamous Erin and Carlisle's Days of Fun. We made fudge that we took to friends, baked sugar cookies, and watched Christmas movies. He made me wait until after dinner to open my presents, which did not please me one bit. But when we got back from dinner at Babalu, we opened presents. I was all excited about the satchel I got him for next year (because backpacks with white coats look ridiculous), but he totally upstaged me! I opened my big present, but inside I found two boxes. He instructed me which to open first. It contained an Ariel ornament! I love Ariel. When I was little, I had an Ariel doll, bath towel, wash cloth, and pillowcase. I have an Ariel ornament on the tree at home. And I've seen The Little Mermaid, oh, 3874 times. So I was really excited about my ornament! Then I opened the second box, and lo, it contained two more boxes. When I opened the first, it had an MSU ornament in it. It was stained glass and looks so pretty on my tree. And it was a big gesture from my Ole Miss-alum fiance. The next box once again contained two boxes. Incidentally, there had been a lot of tape to cut through and a lot of bubble wrap up to this point. I think he bought out the packing supplies at the store. The first of these boxes held a silver bell ornament with "Christmas 2011" engraved on it. The last box just had one little box inside it. Inside that was a ring box. And inside that was my ring! And its beautiful and perfect. I still like to stare at it sometimes, and it's coming up on four months now. It's very distracting.
Since then, quite a bit has happened. Once we worked out the plan for our rotations next year and figured out when we could get married, a tornado of planning (in the form of my mother) worked its way through Starkville. In 16 days, we had the church, reception, photographer, florist, organist, preacher, caterer...it was rather impressive. I did very little of this because I was trying to study (more on that later), but Mama is incredible. Currently, I have my dress, planning is pretty much done, invitations have been ordered, and we're just wrapping up details. We're less than two months away, and my excitement continues to grow. Unfortunately, there are a few things I have to get through before any of this can happen.
Let's talk about this semester. First, the Step. Or perhaps I should say, The Step. The STEP. I don't have horror font on this blog, but that's how you should read it in your head. Because THE STEP is Godzilla. It eats unsuspecting medical students and spits out their lack of knowledge in a scene of carnality worthy of Tarantino's worst nightmares.*
*Secret? I don't think it's going to be that bad. I mean, we've been preparing for it for two years. The contents tested take up a little over 500 pages of the review book of all review books, First Aid for the USMLE Step 1. It's doable, as evidenced by the fact that thousands of people do it every year. It's really not the big scary monster it's made out to be. At least, I don't think it is. Maybe you should check back with me later..
But let me explain. In the path to medical licensing, there are many tests. Our life is milestoned (I don't think that's a word, but just go with me) by standardized tests from elementary school, and in the medical profession it never stops. The Step 1 is the first of three tests you must pass before you sit for your license (board? I don't really know what it's called) in whatever specialty you choose. You take #1 after your second year, 2 after third year (and 2 involves two parts, a written and a practical, which is fun), and 3 after your first year of residency. There's a little wiggle room as to when you actually take them, except for 1. We have to take it before we start rotations for third year, which is June 4. Carlisle and I are taking it on May 23, which is rapidly approaching.
This semester, we have had to study for the Step. Step scores are very important in determining residency placement, so this is kind of a big deal. But on top of this, we have our regular school load (maybe lightened a bit). There's a lot to balance. But somehow, you just make it work. And yes, I still manage to have something resembling a life. I recently reread Pride and Prejudice, and I'm thinking of taking up knitting.
Speaking of hobbies, earlier this semester I became obsessed with sleep hygiene. I realized that maybe there was a way NOT to lie awake for long periods of time before going to sleep. One thing that helped is that I've never put a lamp beside my bed since I've lived here, so my long history of reading in bed was nixed. But I replaced it with reading twitter and playing games on my phone, and that light is no bueno for sleep either. So here's what I started doing. I'm a night-showerer, so I would finish all things electronic before I took my shower. That means after I prepared for bed, no phone, no laptop, no TV. I would read in my living room (not bed) with my lamp on the lowest of the three brightness settings while drinking a glass of water. Then I would go to sleep. Let me just tell you. This was amazing. Sleep is nice. But I definitely got to where I couldn't not sleep. My body was so happy with the 8 hours I was determined to give it that it wouldn't let me do any less. I've since let my sleep hygiene fall by the wayside (obviously, because I need to be asleep right now but instead am blogging and watching Jeopardy! with my lamp on at least the second setting), but I do miss it. Part of the problem is that I stay home to study and don't see people, so my time between showers has, shall we say, extended. For instance, I'm about to go put some dry shampoo in my hair, take off my makeup, and sleep in the shirt I'm wearing. Though on further reflection, perhaps my mother would not want me to put that on the internet. But the simple rules to sleep hygiene are thus: take time to wind down, don't expose yourself to bright light before bed, and keep the bedroom for sleep and sex. I also really like having that glass of water before bed, but if you already have to get up in the night often, maybe skip that part. Because the sleep part is pretty important, too.
Another hobby of mine? Almost passing out at school. You should know that I have a history (and family history...) of this behavior. Sometimes things just catch me off-guard, or affect me strongly, or just really freak me out, and I get all light-headed and sweaty and hot-cold and miserable. I've never gone all the way out, but I've had some unfortunate moments. Well, it's happened twice this semester. The first was a cancer patient that I encountered in my preceptorship. Without going into detail, it was really sad, I'd had about 5 hours of sleep, and I had to go sit down. The resident brought me juice. It was pitiful. Then, recently, Carlisle drew my blood in our venipuncture lab but missed a little. Then I bled, and it hurt, and I had to bend over and try not to fall off my stool. I'm not sure why this is happening to me lately, but it does often make me think about which aspects of medicine I prefer, or feel like I can handle. Then I remember that this is what I feel God has called me to do, so I pray a lot and remind myself that He doesn't give me anything I can't handle. It's when I forget this that I struggle, so I just have to keep it in my mind all the time. Hopefully that will keep me off the hospital floor. I bet good sleep hygiene would help, too (I mean, is it a coincidence that these moments were before and after I instituted those practices? I think not.).
Here are some other things that have been going on with me.
I bought this mug (in red) in which to drink my tea and/or coffee, and it makes me sublimely happy. I've considered getting another to keep safely in storage in case something happens to this one.
I spent my first Easter without my family this weekend, and it was sad. But I made Easter dinner for Carlisle, and we dyed eggs and watched the Masters (okay, so, I took a nap while he watched the Masters because golf makes for good sleeps), and somehow made it without the parents. I missed them a lot, though. And I really want some Coca-Cola ham.
I now use Cetaphil (okay, the equate version) as shaving cream, and my legs thank me for it. Also, the Nivea Sun-Kissed Beautiful Legs lotion is pretty awesome (I bought it last year, but it's probably still out there).
A few current faves:
iPhone app - Where's My Water? and Draw Something
Movie - Australia (I'd forgotten how much I loved it until I watched it again the other day. Fantastic.)
Bedtime read - A Rather Lovely Inheritance (part of a series stolen from Dr. McCarley) and Gone With the Wind
Clothing - Shorts of any kind
Show - New Girl (the Dermot Mulroney [aka "Fancyman"] episodes are genius)
Thanks for checking in, peeps. I hope you had a lovely Easter and that your springtime allergies are receding. Now go outside and plant something.
cheers
Erin
