Study Carrel Saturday

The first week of medical school is completed. There aren't any impending exams, and you're exhausted from attempting to readjust to early mornings and hours upon hours of lecture and labs. Friday afternoon arrives, and you think, "I am soooo excited to sleep in tomorrow morning!"
Then you remember. It's Study Carrel Saturday (insert melodramatic "dun dun duuuunnnn!").
Our medical school has 94 private study carrels...and nearly 200 on-campus students. You do the math. While not everyone likes to study at school in a cubicle dimly lit by fluorescent lighting, a good number of us require the freedom from home distractions. The walls remind me of blinders on a horse - if I can't see what's going on around me, then I'm not tempted to investigate and lose focus.
Numerous classes before us have tried to determine the best possible method for ensuring that those who truly want and will utilize a carrel are assigned one. There is no convenient and fair method. Therefore, the same slumber party from hell occurs every semester (although I wish it were only once per year). And every semester, people grumble and complain. I have been known to be one of those people.
A line forms outside the school in the wee hours of the morning and carrels are first-come, first-served. This year, Aaron and I pulled an all-nighter to arrive on campus at about 4 A.M. We were 32 and 33 in line, respectively. Some students had been camped out since about 2:30 that morning. We were sprawled along the concrete sidewalk amongst scattered pillows, blankets, chairs, and an inflatable air mattress.
There's nothing more depressing than sitting outside school before the sun has risen on a Saturday morning.
At 10 'til 6, the doors opened and we congregated in Founder's Hall, cranky and slightly delirious due to sleep deprivation. At about 7, we lined up according to the numbered list we'd signed upon arrival and anxiously awaited our turn to pick our carrels. Luckily for Aaron and I, most people wanted the Study Gym, so despite our position in line we were able to get two spots in the library in the section we'd scoped out earlier in the week. Others were not so lucky and left disappointed, having settled for an area that wasn't ideal for their study schedule or learning environment.

tucked away in the back of the library...with this guy

After breakfast at Dilly Deli, the rest of the day was wasted trying to find the balance between getting enough rest and not throwing off our sleeping schedule a week into school. Later this evening, when I'm nestled into my office chair with my 'blinders' on in the quiet sanctuary of my library carrel, I will know that it was worth it. Hopefully.

Weekend in Mt. Ida

Aaron's Tahoe recently began making an unhealthy sound, which we were told would be fine for awhile but would eventually turn into a problem. Realizing that it would most likely turn into a problem during midterms or finals, we figured we should take care of it before things get too hectic this semester.
Aaron's parents live in Mt. Ida, Arkansas, which is about a 4 hour drive from Tulsa. We don't get to see them often, so we took the opportunity to get his Tahoe fixed by his family's mechanic and spent the weekend with his family.

Miss Rihanna, our beautiful niece!

Aaron and his youngest sister, Rachel. She just started her freshman year at the University of Arkansas.

"Don't touch my tea!" Kyrah loved my sweet tea - mixed with some baked potato pieces she threw into the glass.

Kyrah with Uncle Aaron

Aaron and his dad.

Aaron and his big brother, Brian

Sweet kisses for daddy

Kyrah loves her baby - it goes everywhere with her, even on a quick trike ride

We had a great time catching up with his relatives and playing with our sweet nieces. They've gotten so big since we last saw them! Although we didn't get to study near as much as we would have liked, we're glad we chose to spend some precious time with family. Life is all about relationships!

Aaron: Chuck Norris of Medicine

I'm sitting here in my study carrel, trying not to fall asleep, which is really hard. Micah and I sleep every night with a fan on for white noise. Here in the library, the air conditioner is out in the section I'm at, so fans are dispersed throughout the books, though it's actually quite cool without them. Couple this with the jasmine scented tea I'm brewing now and postprandial somnolence, and we've got a serious study problem. 

Other than that, I can't complain. Second year is terrific. Not only do I actually have time in the afternoons to study, I've got enough time to be a TA for Anatomy for about 5 hours a week. AND, we actually get to learn medicine. Dr. Goljan (Ghoul-yawn), our Pathology professor,  is as advertised, and definitely the best teacher I have ever had. He's the Chuck Norris of medicine. 

The Chuck Norris of Medicine

He truly is a great man, and I think the thing I love the most about him is his openness with his faith. In being taught by this man, I get to experience part of a true miracle first-hand. He was unequivocally diagnosed with ALS (some might know it as Lou Gehrig's disease) by neurologists. Most of you probably don't know, but if you get ALS, you die within five years. This is probably the best example I have seen of the power of healing through prayer, as it truly had to be through God. It lets me know that God had great plans  for him. If nothing else, he has provided the BEST medical education to countless physicians, and been incredibly outspoken with his faith. There is no telling how many people have been won to Christ because of the impact he has had upon medical students. I am truly blessed to be at Oklahoma State and to learn from Poppy.

Rainy Day Recipe

I'm not a fan of Mondays in general, but today was particularly gruesome. I'm still getting used to 8 o'clock lectures Monday through Friday, and it was raining this morning when my alarm clock began screeching. The only thing I want to do when it's raining is snuggle deeper into the sheets and sleep in blissful peace, especially when I don't feel well. So I really had to force my eyes open and will myself to throw aside the blanket at 6:45.
That lovely start was followed by six - that's right, six - hours of lecture. Thankfully Poppie, our amazing Pathology professor, taught 3 of those hours. Even with him speaking, however, I was struggling to keep focus by 2:30.
The only redeeming portion of the day was lunch. I played Susie Homemaker this weekend, whipping up some chocolate chip cookies for the hubs from scratch, preparing chicken pot pie filling to freeze for a hectic day later this semester, and trying out a new vinaigrette recipe I flagged in a magazine several months ago. Orange Poppy Seed Vinaigrette courtesy of Cooking Light is definitely a keeper. If you're a fan of salads like me, you'll want to give it a try.

Mix 1/2 cup of OJ, 1/4 cup each of honey and champagne vinegar, and an 1/8 teaspoon of salt in a blender. Add 1 tsp of poppy seeds and pulse once. Cover, refrigerate, and enjoy!
I accidentally wrote down "champagne vinaigrette" on the grocery list, so that's what my husband brought home. It worked just fine as a substitution.
I sliced up strawberries, mandarin oranges, and some grilled chicken and added them to a spring mix along with some feta cheese. The ingredients paired perfectly with the vinaigrette. Super easy and super delicious, and now I have lunch for the week! If only every part of my life could be this simple...

Second Time Around

Aaron and I began our second year of medical school yesterday; the experience couldn't have been more different from our first day last August. There was no anxiety, as we knew exactly what was expected of us. There was no second-guessing if we were mentally capable of performing, as we had the the most difficult academic year behind us. And for me, there was no fretting about what to wear. :)
We watched the new first years arrive in the afternoon in brand new matching scrubs for their first official Anatomy lab. I couldn't help but smile while thinking how quickly appearance (and in some cases hygiene) becomes a medical student's last priority. They have about two weeks before those scrubs are beyond saving with any detergent - I can still smell the sting of the formaldehyde in my nose now.
I remember how unbelievably overwhelmed I felt after the first full day of lectures, much to the intimidation tactics of Dr. Meek, the Histology professor, who students concur is one of the best teachers at our school...after first semester is over. The information students in medical school are expected to learn and retain the first year is often likened to trying to swallow as much water as possible from a firehose spraying directly in your face.

Several professors actually included this analogy and picture in our slide shows last year

The amount of information is still overwhelming, but now we know how to chug!
The view is much nicer from this vantage point, and I'm looking forward to this year, because we'll be learning actual medicine. It's about time!

Princess Party

Last Monday evening was my third and final birthday celebration - birthdays are a big deal in my family! As I've mentioned before, we have an intimate home-cooked family dinner for each person's birthday. The guest of honor picks the menu, and the table and gifts are always decorated according to a theme.
This year, I chose chicken enchiladas, guacamole and salsa, with blueberry cobbler for dessert. We stuffed ourselves over a "princess" table scape. I may be deemed by some to be too old to have a princess party (I am officially 26), but there will always be a (big) part of me that still loves pink and purple and sparkles. That part of me shone through this year.

Didn't my sister do a fabulous job decorating? I loved the wands and crystals!

 Macee took the time to make a mini-album of pictures of me as a little girl, including one of my first birthday party. It was one of my favorite details.

 I wore my crown during presents and the Happy Birthday song!

The tutu above has been around for over 20 years. I wore it nearly daily for a good chunk of my "princess"  years, after which it was passed down to Macee. We spent many an hour twirling and waving for our daddy, as is evident by the missing sequins, tulle, and several small holes. I loved that Macee adorned my chair with such a cherished childhood item.
My parents, sister, and husband certainly made me feel like a princess, just as they always do. The food, fellowship, and gifts these past few weeks created some amazing memories. However, what I treasure the most from my birthday festivities are the cards I received. I best express myself verbally, and thus it means so very much when someone takes the time to do the same. Those words and emotions, felt specifically at that point in their lives, are inscribed upon a lovely card for me to revisit at any time I wish. And what was said by each loved one this year will be revisited time and time again.

The Big Event & White Coat

Our school prides itself on its connections to the community. From organizing rural health fairs to adopting a local underprivileged grade school, our students frequently commit themselves to service. This year, we wanted the first years to experience that aspect of our student dynamic firsthand during their orientation. Our Senate Vice President, John Lukeman, coordinated an afternoon of volunteering on Student Life Day last Saturday. Groups were placed at OKDHS, the Tulsa Hope Center, the Visiting Nurses' Association, and a variety of other organizations in Tulsa. Coined "Dr. Pete's Big Event," we hope it continues to grow to encompass other OSU campuses as well.

One of the benefits to organizing the clothes? You might find a gem or two.

 Aaron and I headed up a group for the project. We were really happy with the number of second years that gave up one of their last few summer afternoons to help out. Our group spent our time at Goodwill a few blocks away from the school.

Organizing the book section

Changing inventory in the shoe section

Dusting the clothing racks

Our amazing group! Plus a trash can...

Several shoppers commented on how nice it was to see us in the store, and the staff was very appreciative. Overall, the event was a huge success!
The White Coat Ceremony, which is our introduction into the medical profession, took place on Sunday afternoon. I was so proud as I watched my husband shake hands with the entering class on stage, representing our class as president. I saw the same expressions of nervousness and excitement on their faces as they entered the auditorium to the applause of their friends and family. Aaron and I shared our disbelief over the fact that our White Coat was one year ago. It's surreal, but most importantly it gives us hope that this upcoming year will fly by just as quickly! Welcome to OSU-COM, and congratulations, Class of 2015!