Want Some Mo'? Gimme Some Mo'!

All right - that was supposed to be funny. You know what's not funny? Studying all the freakin' time. When I take a break I feel guilty, because I know I need to be studying. When I'm studying and my brain turns into static in-between-stations fuzz, I feel guilty, because I am not the smartiest pants. My pants are going to get bigger if I don't get off my bum and start working out more!

So we were lectured on "balance." I understand that I need to close the books and forget about it sometimes, but it's so hard when I know the tests are creeping up, and the assignments are piling up. . .I've heard that shrugging the shoulders, saying something obscene, and walking away gets easier as the quarters go on, and on, and on. . .

However, despite my lack of focus and my heightened sense of dread at the impending exams, etc., I am having a wonderful time learning. The greatest word so far? Syncytiotrophoblast. Isn't that pretty. Say it again. Oh yeah!

Our first day of dissection was last Friday. I loved it times 10. It was extremely fascinating and absolutely exhausting. We, like several others, have an obese cadaver, and though I am endlessly grateful to this person for giving me an irreplaceable gift, it's a lot of work to get down to muscle. No doubt, it's a much better learning experience to go layer by layer, cut by cut, to learn anatomy. I hate the idea of prosection (where it's already done). Yes, dissection takes a huge amount of time, but I think it's absolutely necessary. Each body is different, and actually seeing it and discovering it is the best way to learn - in my not-so-humble opinion.

And now - tis time to spend some precious time with my husband. I think a little wine and relaxation will do a body good.

New Space

I decided this new path deserved a new blog. Today was much better than yesterday. I was forced to use Excel yesterday, and that was a problem, since I have very diligently avoided learning how to use it. I honestly believe one could get a degree in Excel. Anyway, after three frustrating hours I found someone to help me. Voila! All I had to do was some algebra - that I can do.

I love medical school - so far. I've watched the second year students this week; they have finals. They are a tired and ratty-looking bunch of people right now.

Next week is my first exam - biochemistry. I'm nervous, because biochemistry was a disaster for me during undergrad, and it seems far too easy right now. Well, my first biochemistry teacher was a roaring drunk. Unfortunately I am being completely honest. His tests rarely matched what was taught. However, that lousy training made me ever-so-grateful for my current wonderful professors. I have one professor who could explain the derivation of the Michalis-Menten equation to a six year old.

After class today I worked out. I'm trying to get my fighter body back. We'll see how that goes when things get tough.

And now I bask in the glory that is medical school. For right now it is manageable and quite enjoyable. Today we started learning about the anatomy of the back. That, my friends, is some seriously cool stuff.

B'shalom