this is my life

After much distress, it seems as though I have survived another week of studying and testing. In fact, I did quite well on today's Pharmacology exam... I'm kind of waiting for what I feel to be dumb luck to wear off. I guess I am studying more than I did last year, but only because I realize that the time I have off is more precious and comes quite infrequently.

So, following the advice I give most of the new students as well as the candidates interviewing here, I took most of today off from the bondage of books and note packets to relax and hopefully recharge the medical school fuel cells. I actually am hosting a candidate tonight and I figured it would be good to get him around town and check out the laid back side of medical school. I felt it was interesting that Janet Bunch's words to us as we were leaving the Admissions office were, "Luke, keep him out of trouble."

Well, he did that and I tried to get him into most of the places I'm at when I'm not studying. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to go fishing right before dusk at Craig's place in Atlanta. The weather was great and the fish were obviously hoping to get their last meals in before the deep freeze. Pretty much everyone pulled something out of the water, but Jeremiah and I both were astounded at our ridiculously large walleye we managed to pull in. Believe you me, pictures will be forthcoming.

the fantastic sunset at craigs...

After fishing, we had dinner at Patterson's and headed out to Theta Xi and Dukum - pretty much the places that have been keeping me somewhat sane throughout the madness that is medical school. All in all, it has been a great day and hopefully, I will be refreshed enough to start tackling the next major fire, Neuroscience.

medical school pearl of the day

"...they have teeth and they're more dangerous when they have teeth."

-dr. neal chamberlain, infectious diseases

regarding the appropriate time to discontinue breast feeding

medical school pearl of the day

"by telling a star runningback that he can't play football that year would be a wise thing to do and then of course, leave it up to his parents to destroy... I mean, to make his life better or worse."

-dr. neal chamberlain, infectious diseases

spinning into control

after a whirlwind of activities these last two weeks, it was about time we got a long weekend. it was well-deserved and much-needed. between working on student government, having meetings with alumni, setting up a big lab for ER club, and the regular medical school rigarmarole, my head was spinning about a million miles an hour. its something I haven't felt in several years - pretty much since undergrad when I was working multiple jobs and sleeping about twenty hours a week. I guess old habits die hard.
the only difference is this time, I've managed to stay focused and stay on task. despite all the crazy things that have been going on, I still managed to stay above the curve on my exams and coursework. it honestly feels like things have just been falling into place. granted, I could be spending more time exercising, but it honestly felt like I was stressing out enough to burn off all the crappy junk food I've been eating since I didn't have much time to cook.
even so, it looks like I've got a short break here before it all picks up again. our next exam is friday, but that starts a huge string of exams and preceeds the big AOA conference in Orlando. so, things look bright and sunny now, but we'll see how things work out as the end of the proclaimed "hardest quarter" comes to an end.

these are the best days...

today, Dr. Uray gave our Neuroscience Group a verbal gold star... it doesn't sound like much, but my life has stooped so low...