chugging along

So.... what have I accomplished since I last wrote. Well, I finished studying biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, and have just started hematology today - which I will finish tomorrow. What fun?! I've had some time to relax - a little. Slowly learning more and more and hoping that when new stuff enters my brain that the old stuff doesn't leak out.

Last night, one of my friends Camila (a 3rd year) got married. It was a great break for everyone. I must say that we all had a blast - dancing and singing our little hearts out. I woke up this morning thinking that I might be getting sick, because my throat hurt - but now I think it's more from singing last night than from getting sick.





Myself, Sam, and Mel









The boys - all smiling for once!




I received an interesting package from my grandmother the other day. Below is the picture - find the weird item - there's more than one. Thank you Gma - Love you!

Good morning

Sunrise from yesterday or the day before. I'm greeted each morning with the sunrise.
This morning I took a little trip down memory lane - unexpectedly.
The grocery store next to my place is open 24 hours a day. I rented a movie and watched it on my 1/2 day off from the store and went to return it this morning at 6am. I walk into the store and was taken back to my childhood. Suddenly I felt like I was standing in Sani Food (the grocery store my parents owned). The lights were on, but dimmed. The bakery was cooking - the smell of fresh baked donuts. I can see perfectly, the donut case at Sani-food when you first walk into the store. I can't even remember the last time I had a donut, but as a kid and in high school I ate them probably more than I should have. I'd stand there and debate about which one to get - knowing full well it's always the same. A chocolate bar.
Then back to office at the store where I would eat my donut, drink my chocolate milk and either pretend to work or play tetris. Ahhh....I miss being a kid.

Lucky me

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom - Thank you for being a wonderful mother and so much more - a confidant and a friend.
I love you and miss you every single day.

Study Camp

Ok, so while talking to my parents last night - I mentioned my really wanting to go home. I also told them that I wanted to wait it out a week and see how I felt after that. Maybe, I just have to get into the groove - sort of like summer camp. When I was younger and I went away for camp - I hated it the first week or so. I wrote home and told them how much I missed them and wanted to be home. We'll when they came to pick me up, let's just say I was crying because I didn't want to leave. Now, I'm not implying that I will be begging for more studying by the end of this - I think not. But I have decided to try and be more optimistic. And I have decided that studying for the boards is like camp.
Why you ask?
Well,
1. I have a wake up call - Reveille, if you will (5 am)

2. Bedtime (10pm) (except tonight since it's Friday - I stayed up a little later & I get to sleep in tomorrow - a little)

3. Comfy clothes - no one cares what you look like at camp. And while studying for the Boards - it doesn't matter either. The rest of society may not agree, but my fellow med students understand. My personal goal is to not wear jeans for a month - sweat pants, gym shorts, maybe an occasional skirt, but only if it's comfortable.

4. I don't have to do my hair. Hop out of the shower --> into a pony tail. I'm sort of excited to see how long my hair is after all of this - assuming it doesn't fall out from the stress.

5. Schedule, schedule, schedule - everyday is accounted for. Breaks, work out, etc - just like at camp.

6. My own little world. Camp is it's own separate reality. Trust me the library and the medical school campus are their own separate reality.

So there you go - I've got a month of study camp!


<-- my study buddy
He sits at my desk and keeps me company :)

day 2 down

Just trucking through. That's how I feel and it's only day 2! I get to slowly cross off the chapters as I read them and then a slash a huge X through the day when it's complete - it makes me feel somewhat accomplished. Doesn't mean I learned the material, nor that I actually had a real conversation with anyone today, but that's my life for the next month or so. I'm working on getting used to it, but it's going to be rough - I can tell already.

Let's see one of the highlights of my last 2 days was that I found avocados for $0.50 a piece. Homemade guacamole! Yummy. See below.

Ready, Set, Go

Today is my official start for USMLE Board's studying. Yesterday was a half day of studying. The USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) Step 1 - I will be taking on June 12th. This is a major test (8 hrs) in my becoming a doctor. Not only do I have to pass it to be able to practice someday, but it also plays a role in the competitiveness of my application to residency - which includes specialty selection as well as location (ahem...me wanting to go back to Cali). There' s a lot on the line for this exam. #1 - Pass, #2 if possible do well. I know - seems pretty obvious.


So for the next 4 weeks or so - I will be trying to relearn the first 2 years of medical school!

Arsenal of information to cram into my head by June 12th?









Check



Schedule that will help me accomplish this madness?










Check: This week - attack Biochem




Snacks: to sustain me in these marathon days?











Check...Thank you Aunt Ed (much appreciated)




Study Buddy who is crazy enough to do this to & hopefully we won't be sick of one another when all is said and done.












Check!









And last, but not least...Study Break material.











Thank you Andy for this hilarious book - that will hopefully help to keep me sane or at least keep me from becoming more crazy.



Wish me luck! Back to the books!
Time to learn about Fatty Acids!

Home and randomness

Sometimes there are just those days where I miss home. Where all I want is to be in my own house on the couch watching tv with the dogs, or playing games with the family, going out with my high school buddies, etc. I was just home a few months ago, 2 to be exact. So it really hasn't been that long. I think it's knowing that a lot of people are getting ready to head out for summer - But new adult Jen will be stuck here - putting in more hours studying than a full time job!
The California sun still calls my name. 2 more years and hopefully I can make my return to the west coast. and the Mexican food - I miss the Mexican food
Above: this is our favorite taco wagon just down the street from home


Today was my last day of classes for 2nd year! I can't believe.

Random thought that just popped into my head. So I had a doctor's appt me today. No worries - everything is fine - just the yearly tune up. As a medical student, I sit there paying close attention to what the doctor does. Is he doing everything we've been taught? Does he skip something I think should be done? Does he ask all the right questions? Did he leave something out? I wonder if the doctor realizes that I'm paying meticulous attention. He sits there mindlessly making small talk, going through the exam and I mindlessly answer while analyzing his every move.
In a way I feel sorry for these doctors that have to deal with us medical students. One for the reason mentioned above - we are paying close attention and in theory know what is supposed to be done and two because learning about all these diseases scare us. I'm sure with each block, some student rolls into the office with some obscure complaint about whatever we are learning - chock full of biochemical information that the doctor has long since forgotten, because it's not clinically relevant.
That's it - off to study tonight. Test on Monday.