Awkward End of the World

Last Thursday, our awesome Microbiology professor for this unit gave us a unique assignment for our weekly lab. One of the things that makes him awesome: he finished his material in the allotted lecture times and had nothing additional to present; instead of creating a pointless lecture, he sparked a brainstorming session of sorts concerning the realistic possibility of bioterrorism using the viral agents we've discussed in class. However, he gave us creative license to design a method of destroying a country/the world and then a way to save it from our impending doom.

We divided up into the same groups we had for Microbial Jeopardy (you all remember Team Herpes, right?) and put our evil thinking caps on. Our group met at Chipotle on Cherry Street for a lunch gathering of the minds. I suggested the best place to disseminate a viral agent would a large airport such as LAX or JFK. Sean has a crush on Anthrax, so we dabbled in that for a bit. An exploding plane over the ocean set to destroy sea life. Airplane blankets laced with smallpox, for which our generation no longer has immunization (interestingly enough, another group came up with this same idea).
We finally decided to mix the HIV virus with an adenovirus, imparting spread through respiratory droplets, and like the common cold, a rate of mutation that would make a successful vaccine impossible. Take over a vaccine development company - I will not state the means by which we suggested doing this - and insert the virus into the annual flu vaccine. We named it "Turbo AIDS." Mwahahaha. Here's Aaron explaining the gist of our plan:

After Aaron presented the idea, the professor commented, "Wow. That's pretty evil." And it was. The majority of the class really capitalized on the creative aspect and came up with some humorous ideas. It was all fun and games until the class was coming to a close and a lone girl raised her hand, teeming with urgency, indicating that she had something to add. What followed was unexpected: several groups were called out on the infeasibility of their plans, complete with wind vector data to support her counter. Didn't see that coming, and we definitely didn't know how to react. It got awkward, really fast. Obviously some individuals did not get the memo that this was for fun. Medical school students. We're intelligent, but sometimes our social skills are lacking.
All in all, it was a lab to remember, and I can't help but think that if we came up with these ideas over lunch, what horrible plans have true evil minds crafted? Makes me shiver...

"Woo" Girl

Though I wouldn't have imagined it at the start, last week culminated in a very interesting couple of days at school. I'll cover the SNMA Potluck and Silent Auction in this post and the Hoe-Down and awkwardness that defined our Microbiology lab in those that follow.
We had an OMM practical that afternoon and Aaron and I finished very early. I figured I needed to seize the rare opportunity to do one of my favorite things: BAKE! I tried two new recipes: beer bread and a chocolate bundt cake. Both turned out delicious - I even got a, "That's a keeper!" from Aaron on the cake, and he's not a dessert fan. After a plate of yummy food that reminded me of simpler church potluck days, Ranelle surprised us with door prizes donated by Deb, the manager of the campus bookstore. We found out why she was laughing and sarcastically thanking Deb when we saw the 'prizes.' Let me preface this by saying that I never win anything. Ever. That night was my lucky night, however, because I became the proud recipient of a faded (vintage?) navy leather bookmark circa 1998. Oh, yeah.

Suppress your jealousy, please. Even better was a homemade wooden snowman door hanger - lucky girl, that Janel. These 'gifts' that were so graciously donated reminded my of my dear Aunt Francis. Every family has one - the very elderly family member that comes round once a year, pinching cheeks and doling out gifts that remain in your closet until the next summer yard sale. Aunt Francis has spasmodic dysphonia, which makes her difficult to understand and scary to children. Macee and I would hide when she came by the house around Christmas, later to discover the treasure trove that she obviously collected from dusty shelves around her house and the Dollar Tree. Paper clips. 2 liters of Mountain Lightning. Partly-used hotel toiletries. Thank you, Deb, for bringing back those lovely memories. It truly is the thought that counts.
As for my embarrassing moment of the evening (there's always at least one), I was possessed by the spirit of the "Woo Hoo" girls for a short period of time. We all know them, and chances are, can spot them instantaneously. Intelligence and class do not come to mind as synonyms for these ladies, although they can be a lot of fun to watch. I'm not sure if it was all the excitement over finally winning something or perhaps a sugar high, but i began to "Woo" for my fellow gift recipients. And then it happened. Ranelle thanked everyone for their contributions and complimented the beer bread. "Woo Hoo! Me!" I shouted. Aaron: "Did you just "woo" yourself?"
As soon as the words were out of my mouth I was desperate to catch them and stuff them back in. Apparently I wanted to toot my own horn for that beer bread. It's moments like these that keep me humble...
On the plus side, I won a $50 gift certificate to a waxing studio that I bid on for $35. You're just out of my reach, Mexico.

Lesson Learned

Monday mornings are always hard. Today was especially so. I was reluctant to begin the week, knowing that my last 'free' weekend this semester was over. Sigh. After hitting the snooze button more times than I care to publicly announce, I rushed in to the first Clinical Skills lecture. Mistake #1.
I decided after about the second week of class that these lectures were worthless. Although the lecturers and topics usually pique my interest (Cardiology, Pulmonology, ENT?!), it's akin to setting the bar high for a movie and walking out feeling thoroughly misled and disappointed. An over-abundance of slides, images not suitable for early morning hours, and personal tangents are the hallmarks of these lectures. So every week I've skipped and spent the time studying. Every week Aaron falls for the bait-and-switch. "It looks like it might be a good lecture!" Every week the same response afterward: "I should've studied and not gone." I thought I, at least, had learned my lesson, but apparently not.
Today in lab we were supposed to be doing History and Physicals on classmates (or so we thought), so I incorrectly assumed we would be taught how to conduct H&Ps in lecture. Joke's on you, MSI's [insert evil laugh]! Immediately I was overwhelmed by a sense of deja vu, undoubtedly because I was forced to listen to the same 25 minute speech the professor gives EVERY Monday in lab and anytime he lectures. Don't get me wrong, it has some sound advice. However, I do not have retrograde amnesia and am able to retain information without the assistance of the worst case of redundancy I've ever experienced.
In the break - yes, there's a break in between the TWO HOURS of lecture for this class - I made Mistake #2: not leaving. During the second hour, I charged my iPod and daydreamed about the mound of profitable study time slowly evaporating as he read pages of jokes (Funny, yes. Worth my time, no.) and showed a horrible instructional video of material we'd already covered. 
In short, I have vowed to never attend again. Ever. Short of a free meal (medical school currency equivalent) or test points, I'm not falling for it people.

Residency Fair: Pearls of Wisdom

The school held a residency fair Friday, and although we're only first years, a lot of us took advantage of the opportunity to see what's out there. There were nearly 50 booths set up at the fair, and they represent a fairly small percentage of the specialties and programs available. I have to pinch myself, knowing that in the blink of an eye I'll be looking back at this year from the future I've selected, preparing for graduation and the internship/training that follows. What I wouldn't give for a sneak peek...
My uncle Doug represented Tahlequah's booth at the fair. We had the rare opportunity to spend some time with him by catching a bite to eat at Genghis Grill afterward. Aaron and I look forward to these instances for several reasons. Doug's been through the exact journey we're trekking through now. He's had many of the same professors and has experienced many of the same difficulties, only with four kids to support. While many people love us and try to understand, the empathy, encouragement, and advice of someone who's been through it is priceless, and something that can be trusted. Doug finished near the top of his class and was selected as Resident of the Year. He's now Chief of Staff at Hastings in Tahlequah in addition to Director of its residency program. He knows what he's talking about, and here are a few pearls of wisdom straight from the horse's mouth. If you're wise, you'll take heed.
1. First years, enjoy this last summer before us. There will be plenty of time to study for boards next year, and until we've had Pathology, we won't be able to grasp what's important and its application. We have the rest of our lives to work. Relax, spend time with family, and recharge so we can hit the fall semester running.
2. Don't just impress your attending. The residents have a say in which applicants will be joining them in the future.
3. Talk to someone in the fields you're considering and be realistic about your odds. Have a backup.
4. In rotations, you'll spend the first two weeks every month trying to figure things out. Just about the time you do, you're ready to move on to the next. It's ok.
5. Balance your 'audition' rotations with a variety of electives that will be useful during your internship year. Many attendings are complaining that PGY1s aren't at the level they need to be because they did the majority of their electives in one field (cardiology, radiology, etc.) and aren't well rounded.
Here's to our future selves, who already have it figured out...

What a Day

Yesterday was a very interesting day at the med school. The majority seem monotonous, blending in to one another so that we seem to be suspended in time. An interesting conversation, a standout lecture, a freak outside event - any one of these are enough to make a Thursday stand out from all the rest; all three occurred.
Aaron and I (well, I...Aaron's not much of a chatter) chatted with some lovely ladies from our class in the lounge yesterday at lunch about some intense topics. Our generation's perception that marriage is no longer until death do you part, but rather until one or both are no longer happy or 'in love.' The ever-growing mountain of diseases and disorders incorporated into our knowledge base and the paralyzing fear that accompanies considering if we or our loved ones will one day develop them. The latter thought expanded into a debate concerning genetic testing before having children, and whether or not you'd want to know if you will likely one day succumb to Alzheimer's or Huntington's or some equally tragic disease in which the very essence of 'you' dies before your shell of a body does. Ultimately, deciding that it's best not to know. Heavy stuff for lunch, but a welcome reprieve from studies.
On a lighter note, we have a new professor in the Bacteriology block of our Micro class and he is hilarious. He reminds me of a good 'ole country boy that may not sound smart but has intelligence to spare. My favorite quote of his was, "I'm 70 years old. I can say whatever I want." I think we're all thankful for that attitude, because the word gems that come out of his mouth are priceless.
The last memory of the day was the most unexpected. We walked out of our Bacteriology clickerfest (essentially, an electronic quiz) to the sight of firetrucks and flames engulfing a house across the street. The smoke was so thick, and due to morbid human nature, or the fact that we're mentally shot by the end of the day, or sheer curiosity, a group of us gathered to watch for several minutes. Luckily, no one was in the house, and it wasn't the home of any of our classmates that live in the neighborhood.

What. A. Day. Here's hoping today is just as interesting - minus the fire.

Spring Fever

I'll be honest. Spring is my least favorite season. In Oklahoma, it's extremely windy all the time and can be quite rainy. It's cold in the mornings and at night but warm in the afternoon so that I'm never the right temperature in the outfit I've chosen. And the allergies...oh, the allergies.
However, with only four exams left until finals that are evenly spaced, even I have Spring Fever. The weather seems gorgeous and I can conjure up a million daydreams of picnics in the park, flying kites, and the scent of new blooms. These thoughts are especially nice to escape to now that the air conditioning is not working in the library and the fact that I haven't met my vitamin D requirement in, oh, 8 months. Dream I shall. Here are a few items with which I'd like to celebrate the season:

 

Love these sandals with a slight wedge from Aldo. Bonus: they don't cost $70. I refuse to cough up that much for that little material.

This shade of coral would be perfect on my toes in those sandals!

 Simple. Classic. Elegant. I am absolutely head over heels in love with this dress from White House Black Market. WHBM and Ann Taylor Loft will dominate my closet when I become a physician.

 Black and brown done well? No easy feat, but Kimchi via Urban Outfitters accomplishes it with this bag. It would pair with absolutely everything.

 

MAC eyeshadow in Gleam would be perfect for those days that I make minimal use of makeup. Let's face it: it's for those days that I decide to wear makeup period. Dust this pinky gold all over my lids and I'm good to go. 

What better way to face the cats and dogs than with this Vera Bradley umbrella? Add some cute rain boots and hello, puddles. 

Ah, to have the budget to afford these things. PC or not, it is one of the many reasons I am training to be a doctor. Now back to studying so that I can one day splurge on that dress...

A New Approach

It was back to the grind today. I was kept up all night by a horrible cough, and the cough medicine I took made me extremely drowsy when I finally got to sleep, so I slept in this morning. Apparently it was a wise choice, as lectures were not profitable (according to Aaron). Our Renal Physiology exam got moved to the following Monday from when it was originally scheduled. As usual, some of my classmates are ecstatic about a free weekend, and others are upset because it alters plans they had already made. All I know is that this semester has been a wild roller coaster, and nothing in our schedule is set in stone. And that pleasing everyone is never a possibility. Man, med school is great at life lessons...
I have absolutely been dreading finishing the remainder of the semester. I liken it to the last days of summer, when you want to enjoy yourself as much as possible before school begins again, but the latter is ever present in the back of your mind. My parents did all they could to encourage me, and as an act of appreciation, I decided to let some of that positivity sink in. I like Physiology. It's my favorite subject, always has been. If ever I were to retire from medicine and go back to get my PhD to teach, it would be in Phys. The material is interesting...I enjoy reading interesting material. Therefore, I am approaching the knowledge to master for this Cardiology Phys exam on Wednesday as such. I'm pushing aside the feelings of dread and procrastination I automatically associate with anything to do with preparing for an exam. Instead, I'm attempting to read the Board Review book and other study aids for enjoyment. It may be the epitome of nerdiness, but it's working. I may not be able to apply it to other classes (such as Micro - blah, Bacteriology), but it's getting me through these next few days. And towards a weekend devoid of the pressure of an impending exam. Minor victories - in reflection, they're how I will win this war.