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!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
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.
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