Seasoned

So far it's been a wonderful few post-board days. I was adventurous this morning and decided to go to one of the local parks to stretch my legs. Mainly because the school gym doesn't open until 1, but I also wanted to start getting outside more. I do love me some outdoors! Unfortunately I couldn't get my stupid Ipod-nike sensor working so I had to do without. Special kid over here had to come home and figure out how to get it into un-sleep mode ( I put it in sleep mode before boards knowing I wouldn't be using it for a few weeks and tried to save some battery power). I did get a good 3 miles of mostly walk. My run ended quickly with a massive side stitch that still refuses to go away. I guess the boards inflict more than just mental anguish. alas.

Tomorrow begins STEP 2 lockdown. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I once again trudge up to campus and lock myself away in one of those classrooms to toil away at NBME practice tests, First Aid facts, and USMLE world questions until my eyeballs fall out. However, I am going to try and preserve my sanity by getting out most days to go for a walk or something. It really does help with those natural endorphins and happy neurotransmitters. I also have to get my bridesmaid dress on my body (oops) and then down to a seamstress for tailoring (double oops) so I can  be ready to go the day after my step for my friend's wedding (triple ooops!) So that can offer a good break NEXT.WEEK so I can get that done.

I hope all of my fellow classmates are enjoying some well deserved time off. I'm pretty sad knowing that I won't be seeing some of my old groupmates anymore. As we all depart our separate ways, I know that for those who are closest we'll have to make some real effort to still get together. It's also crazy to think that this time, last year, we were new, fresh, and still had some spunk. Now wise in our post M3-ness, I see how we all have turned into the M4's that we once looked up to in awe thinking "omg how do they know to do that? how do they know so much? omg they are SO.SMART". That is now us, folks. It's amazing what we all have learned and endured in the past year. Cheers to US! I can also tell that I'm not as freaked out about STEP 2 as I was about STEP 1. Some of that I believe comes from the experience of living through (and surviving) STEP 1. Now I'm just approaching this test as a pesky hurdle standing between me and my Pathology rotation in july. Again, amazing what a year does.

With that, I'm going to lay down and rot my brain with some online cable TV. I'll see everyone on the flip side, or at least with the "I can't take it anymore" sanity posts that I'm sure will be making an appearance later.

Good luck to all taking STEP 2, STEP 1, and anything in between.

...between is a funny looking word if you really look at it....

Too Serious For Numbers

Courtesy of allbleedingstops.blogspot.com

0: Hi. I am not experiencing any pain at all. I don't know why I'm even here.

1: I am completely unsure whether I am experiencing pain or itching or maybe I just have a bad taste in my mouth.

2: I probably just need a Band Aid.

3: This is distressing. I don't want this to be happening to me at all.

4: My pain is not fucking around.

5: Why is this happening to me??

6: Ow. Okay, my pain is super legit now.

7: I see Jesus coming for me and I'm scared.

8: I am experiencing a disturbing amount of pain. I might actually be dying. Please help.

9: I am almost definitely dying.

10: I am actively being mauled by a bear.

11: Blood is going to explode out of my face at any moment.

Too Serious For Numbers: You probably have ebola. It appears that you may also be suffering from Stigmata and/or pinkeye.

I was tempted to point out that the pain scale only goes to Ten but it occurs to me that if you are in fact suffering from Stigmata then (and only then) you are entitled to a pain rating higher then ten

I think this week, I'm at the "too serious for numbers". I feel as if my brain is at the verge of meltdown. and I still have three weeks to go. ::sigh:: definitely stigmata of the brain. Or maybe it's just ebola. You never know what those PhD's are doing up on the 8th floor....

One more board to go. then step 2. Then PATHOLOGY!!! ::big, happy smile:: as well as epic "go visit all your friends before you become a resident" road trips. I'm sure many stories and pictures to follow.

Oh, and there's also Eclipse, as my friend HemeOnc Doc reminded me of this morning. I'm excited about our future date.

Here's to the promised year!