Friday Woots

I have never been so happy for it to be friday. This week has been really busy with the PIG bake sale and 2 personal order cakes. Also, a good friend of mine is having a bridal shower/bachelorette party tomorrow night and I have yet to buy a present. So that will be on the order I guess tomorrow. We have my niece tomorrow so the morning will be devoted to getting us to the natural science museum and then afternoon must have some shopping involved.

I have a lot to work on this weekend. I need to get serious about pathology, and biostats and pharm need to get done ASAP becuase I can't afford to have these tests kick my ass. Pharm will be 50/50 old and new material. Um, can we say FREAK OUT? because my least favorite class is pharm. Most of the time I just memorize and flush. And now I have 2 weeks to memorize not only new stuff, but old stuff. Looks like it's a good thing I'm only going out once this weekend! I almost want to skip my workout but I can't since I took time off last night. Besides, my 3 hour nap after getting home today probably didn't need to happen, but it felt SO good.

And on a random note: The Bret Michaels's "Rock of Love" show makes me sad for what my favorite 80's band members have now turned into. If you don't know me well, you may fail to realize that I was born and raised in the wrong generation. Don't get me wrong, I love my early 90's music. But I have a special special place in my heart for the 80's. I LOVE all the hair bands (Motley Crue, Poison, GUNS AND ROSES (omg Slash!) and actually just prefer the music from that time overall. Heh, I should really be about 10 years older than I actually am. But at least I can still listen to the music. Unfortunately, I can't enjoy the small perks like the makeup, hair, clothing, and especially mullets. Well, since I live in the south all it takes is a fair to bring out the mullets. But it's different when it was the style and acceptable and now just a joke.

Anyway, I think I'm going to get onto some path. Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Oh yeah, final schedules released today. I think group 5 is the best one on the list! I'm still so PUMPED about next year and especially all the people I get to work with. WOOT!

M3 and Counting

So after a FANTASTIC break filled with sleep, sloth, and a mini vacation to New Orleans complete with getting lost in the ghetto, I'm back to the daily grind.

So the first thing I learned bright and early on monday morning when I get in is my M3 rotation schedule. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that I got one of my top 4 choices! I got into group 5, which starts off on surgery so I'm really excited. I originally signed up with the Cupcake Queen and Aspiring Neurosurgeon for Medicine first, but I really wanted surgery first and I'm stoked that the schedules turned out the way they did. Plus, the group of people that my group made of (complete with the ongoing swapping) includes some of the best people I could ever have picked to work with. So I think all in all, Group 5 will be kicking ass, taking names, and leaving all others in the dust. Haha. Well, maybe not exactly like that, but I think we have an awesome group of people and it's going to be lots of fun. I can't wait to get started. Now all I have to do is pass pesky little things like the rest of M2 year and STEP. Ugh, STEP. I am looking forward to that being over. Besides, having my friends in the medicine first, we'll still have the biggies at the same time and we can swap tips for the rotations since we're doing them at complete opposite times.

So I'll be making rice krispie treats for the Pediatric Interest Group bake sale all week. The proceeds go to the children's hospital so it's a good cause. Plus, it gives me an excuse to make goodies and eat whatever sticks to the spoon. haha (hence why I've been gymming a little longer than usual). I didn't think they would be as popular as they turned out to be. They were the first item to sell out! I'm just making the regular ones, opposed to the peanut butter laiden ones that didn't seem to sell as quickly. It's a lot faster and cheaper anyway. Even though I personally prefer the ones with peanut butter. So go buy some rice krispie treats!

I also single handedly booked a speaker, room, and set a date for the next (and last of the year) Pathology Interest Group meeting! I feel so grown up. I'm hoping I'll get to be president next year. I know I haven't made up my mind on what I wanted to do as far as specialties go, but path is definitely on the board. I'll just have to see what I enjoy and what I don't and then make up my mind then. I have a feeling I'll be one of those M4's that still doesn't know what they want to do when they grow up. I hope I can at least rule out a few things by next year (I'm thinking surgery...but who knows, I may end up LOVING it...shudder....).

Seeing how it's the last three weeks of lecture EVER, I've decided to actually kick it up and study. I mean, hardcore study. So far, so good. Made it to lecture and paid attention. I even took notes during lecture. I haven't done that since the first week of M1 year. I also got coffee and studied in the library this afternoon. I never do that. Usually I come home, nap until 6 ish, eat dinner, look over something, gym, then shower and bed. I have a new inspiration to make sure I pass M2 and Step...because if I don't, I'll miss out on Group 5!!!! haha. Did I mention I'm completely PUMPED about my M3 group????? haha.

Well, I better finish making my rice krispies before study and gym.

Maybe It's Just Me

I'm really getting frustrated with this whole "medical school" thing.

1. they like to play "experiment with the curriculum". Which includes our grades. I'm getting pretty sick and tired of having to pay for previous classes. Like when the biostats professor says he's tired of people blowing off his class (which, remind you, is worth 24 hours to path's 200) so he makes the test impossible. So now, instead of being encouraged by making decent grades, we're discouraged and hate the piece of shit excuse for medical school algebra because you decided to make the test shittastically impossible. Yeah, you really showed us.

2. I figured that at age 24, and in professional school, busywork would become a thing of the past. Clearly I'm advanced enough in my education I don't need "homework" anymore. Well, that's exactly what psych has decided to do with their little quizzes. I won't complain much about prev med or biostats, because at least you can take those until you get all the questions right. But psych has basically given us homework to complete. I guess I was too hasty to assume that at this level in my education I was self driven and disciplined enough to learn the material on my own without having to answer a bunch of questions on the previous lecture. Guess not.

3. Yes, I'm fully aware that there is this big bad board test called step 1. Currently, I'm staring down the barrel of the metaphorical gun. However, giving me come to Jesus moments and then freaking out when I tell you that no, no I have NOT started studying because I'm desperately trying to keep up with the new M2 curriculum is not helping me. So how about you stop telling me what a big deal this test is and how you don't want everyone to fail again this year and get these course directors on leashes and tell them that they can't take up all my time with pointless quizzes and tests that dont' reflect in any way, shape, or form ANYTHING they covered in lecture. Yes, I'm scared shitless about step because it plays a part in determining my future career. However, if I don't pass these out of control classes (as little as they contribute to my overall grade, I still have to pass) I can't even take the damn thing so I'm still stuck in a shitcreek without a paddle and a hole in the bottom of my canoe. So stop reminding me.

Ok, I feel better. Let's all now see what Izzy has! (I'm thinking it's some weird AV malformation causing strokes in the frontal lobe. But I hated neuro and just passed, so I'm most likely wrong!)

T minus 3 Tests

So, it's kinda hard to study when you have a playful kitty poking his head/paws/appendages/tail around the side of the computer screen to distract you from studying in order to focus on the cuteness. I really hope I end up taking him with me when I move off to residency. I'd be too sad without him.

Also, like puberty transforms boys into garbage disposals, so does test week transform me into a bottomless pit. There goes my diet, running, being good, and actually losing weight. Maybe by Friday it'll transform me into an alcoholic as well.

Now if you excuse me, I need to get one of those hemorrhoid donuts for my freshly biostatistically raped ass.

G'day.

Lost and Found

Test week kicks off tomorrow at 9 am. And honestly, I can't find my give a crap anywhere. I think I've lost it by this point. I'm very burnt out and unmotivated to complete this next week. The only thing I can think about is STEP and how it plays a role in determining the rest of my life (as good as the head shrink's intentions were, I'm sure there's more to it than simply passing it the first time).

Running/gymming has become a wonderful procrastination tool for myself. It gives me a chance to get away from studying,books, and sitting. I actually like working out now. I think I've found a new hobby.

I can't wait for spring break. I'm hoping to go visit a friend that lives in Gulport, but other than that I'll be in Jackson. I've toyed with the idea of going up to the hospital and shadowing a bit. We'll see. I don't think I'll be heading out to Dallas to visit Dr. Pathologist and Dr. Dermpath. Maybe I'll save that for June. I've been annoying Dr. Pathologist enough with my renal questions that I'm positive he's excited for an Ewok free week. He hasn't mentioned me coming over the break anymore, and I'm not going to push it.

Anyway, I suppose I'll go learn some drugs for pharm or something.

I.want.spring.break.now.

Type B=I Don't Give a Crap

This week has already been very busy. I've come to realize I'm in deep shit for pharm again and I'm so tired of classes it just about makes me want to 1. drink 2. vomit 3. find some xanax. Well, psychiatry has already driven me to 1 and most likely will progress to 3 and 2 very rapidly. Although I will give it to psych for pointing out to Officer Helga that she has schizotypal personality disorder. It was priceless how he came up to her during that ONE personality disorder, asked her name, then made sure she was taking notes and "make sure to write that down". Priceless.

Also, there has been some bickering over next year class schedules. We were supposed to get an email today telling us what groups and schedules we ended up with , and would be allowed to swap around and get our final schedules by next week. Well, we have tests next week, and some people brought up the concern about having to deal with all the swapping and such during test week. I guess I never thought about it, but I can see their point. Not only being all stressed out about tests but also stressed about not being in the group you want and having to swap and finding someone to swap, etc, etc. However, I was pretty excited about seeing what I got and who I ended up with. So I can see how others are angry that they decided last minute to go ahead and draw but not release the information for another 2 weeks.

Personally, since I can see both sides, I don't care. I guess that separates my personality from others in my class. I think I'm more Type B in my personality where the majority of the class is Type A. Not saying Type A is bad, but I tend to see myself being more "go with the flow" when compared to some of my colleagues. I would have dealt with it during test week, or if I felt like it was too much just keep the schedule, not swap, study for tests, and deal with my group and schedule next year without complaining. Since the decision has been made, then I'll just wait until they release the info, because there's nothing I can do to change it now. I just hate that several people I know are upset over the postponement, because that'll be stress and worry during test week for them anyway and doesn' t accomplish the original goal of not releasing schedules.

Oh, and as a save my ass from being chewed out...No, I didn't email anyone to complain. I was just going to deal with it during test week. Or like I said, if I felt like it was going to take too much of my time, deal with the schedule I ended up with and not participate in swapping.

I'm just ready to be an M3

Juggling Really Sharp Knives

Right now there's some Eastern European doctor lecturing about nephrology. I can't understand him and he talks about two shades over a whisper. So I'm doing my internetting.

So this weekend my USMLE world opened up. I was doing ok when I was picking the subjects I liked...embryology, histology, genetics. But when I went to the random questions from all subjects, then I started getting depressed. I guess I'm not that bad off considering I haven't looked at first year materials yet. Plus, I still have time.

I'm over psychiatry. Give me my 70 and fuck off. I don't care anymore. I'm also over test block, and I hate pharmacology with a passion. I'm tired of memorizing drugs. Prev med is ok and biostats is growing on me. I love pathology so it doesn't bother me much. I'm ready to be an M3. I'm tired of sitting and rotting behind a computer screen.

I'm anxious about 3rd year schedules. I really don't care about the order. I'll have to do it all eventually. I just hope hope hope I get in with a good group. I wrote down all the people I'd rather not have to deal with next year, and it came up to 20 people. Some were a total NO, others were a they're not so bad but I'd just rather not. So worst case scenerio, I get 14 of those 20 in a group. And I just have to swap. Or, best case, my praying will work out and I'll get in with a good group. Cross your fingers for wed!

My lent list is growing. I've decided to stop the dessert desserts. Like cookies, cake, ice cream...that stuff. I have a horrible sweet tooth and the past week that's all I've wanted. I really need to get a grip. So this will help with my self control. Even though I'm starting late, I don't think The Big Guy minds. haha.

Also, my running regimen is going well. I came down with a cold during my first official week, and took about 3 days off. So I just repeated the first week again. So I'm a week behind the estimated schedule, but I'm ok with that. I'll start my second week today and it looks tough. Even though, I'm really excited about being able to one day call myself a runner. I've always wanted to. I'm starting to just go for things I've always wanted instead of letting excuses and pre-conceived notions of myself stop me anymore.

I feel like I don't see anyone anymore. Between everything academically and now trying to fit in gym and running, I've become very selfish with my time. It's like with everything going on, I'm constantly juggling everything. Although, I like my me time. I miss my friends. I hope no one takes offense and realize that once step is over, and hopefully pass, the hospital may eat me but I should have weekends off. I keep trying to tell myself it'll get better. As of right now, it has. Oh well, long live the nerd hole!