How Time Changes Things

Or... it doesn't really, does it now?





Some things never change...

I'm having a laugh over this.

Resp and onto more ADD Medicine

One week of resp medicine down... including a Friday night call and 7:30am post-take ward rounds (yeah... on Saturday). I never knew the hospital could be so quiet. And yes, I know I was on a study strike. But it wasn't a keener strike. And my boss really really really really really likes his students to be present for post-take ward rounds (read: be there or else).

Other things ticked off the docket include changing my name on my diploma (I really wanted my middle name there), getting my yearbook picture taken, writing a blurb for the yearbook (for surgsoc), and a trip to Ikea for some extra wine glasses. Tomorrow, I'll "break" the study strike to do some ECP reading. But I figure that's about all the work I'll do this week, so it's ok. I think this week long ethics/communications course is going to be... amusing? Just based on the group I'll be in with, should be either intense and challenging, or an absolute gong show. I've my fingers crossed for a gong show. Bring it on. Now, if only the boys will behave themselves... maybe just a little bit?

I'm glad to have an easy week of work though. I'm still getting over the exaustion of exams. Stupid exams. By the end of this week, mom is in town and I plan to be firing on all cylinders. Can't wait for mom time. Perhaps I'll get the car fixed before I go pick her up from the airport...

Anaestheti... Ooooh look at the Kitty!

(If you don't read A Softer World - asofterworld.com - I highly recommend it)

Week 1 down, which means I'm done with anaesthetics. Nice.

I wish I could say that I enjoyed Anaesthetics. Before I dump on it though, let me say this: The SPR in charge of the rotation right now is brilliant. She's lovely, an excellent teacher, and she makes the whole thing extremely accessible. I learned more from her than I did with the lectures on my own before my writtens and she made it a point not to waste our time by just re-teaching those (seeing as we had already studied them for the aforementioned and completed written exams). So to her, a solid tip of the hat. Now, why I didn't have a good time - quite simple really. I am 100% exhausted and wound up running a fever Wed-Sat. I don't know that it's appropriate for me to be bouncing around the ICU with a fever (read: it's not appropriate). But I only get one week of anaesthetics teaching all year, and I feel like 1) I'm not really allowed to miss it and 2) I don't want to miss the only opportunity to learn how to intubate before I stumble across it in an emergency situation. Fingers crossed we re-learn at ATLS later this year. But for those of you who still have that week of anaesthetics, it's not as horrendous as it was last semester. I promise.

I haven't managed to accomplish very much this weekend. Partially from feeling crummy and sick, partially from being at the intern exam in Bmont yesterday, partially from an afternoon meeting, and mostly because I didn't get out of bed until noon today (but really... When do I EVER do that?). I did, however, manage to pack up the christmas decorations and start the cleaning process that HAS to happen before my mom gets here. I refuse to let my flat be a mess for my mom... Plus, dinner party on the Sat, and I like it to be clean for that kinda thing too.

Week 2: Resp med. With whom? I don't know. I actually asked and the request for information blew up the computer on which the information was contained... Not sure what to do now. Maybe I'll just pick one? I'm going to take it easy this week. I'm getting better. Not 100% yet, but I'm getting there. I feel like there is just SO much life stuff to get done, and not much time allocated to do so. Like, oh, loans. And a PPS number. And... who knows what else. Need to get on that. Then I'm going to start learning some new stuff too, or at least start studying something again.

(Proof that I actually go out sometimes. Thanks Joan! And the Swan... Cheers meets Backer)

Writtens down... On to clinical

So... I've finished my written exams... Crazy. I have (almost) no more tests between me and graduation. I say almost because my Data Paper is somehow a written paper. It's much more like a hybrid between an exam and an osce. But here's the low down on what's left for Semester 2 SCII:

The next few weeks is like ADHD Medicine (in my mind)...

Week 1 - Anaesthetics
Week 2 - Respiratory Med
Week 3 - ECP1
Week 4 - ENT
Week 5 - ECP2
Week 6 - Ophtho
Week 7 & 8 - Sub-i Paeds
Week 9 & 10 - Sub-i Med
Week 11 & 12 - Waterford (misc) Med
Week 13 - 16 - Blanch Surgery
FINAL CLINICALS... OSCEs, Long Case, Data Paper...

May vacation x 3 weeks. (? Travel all over Europe)
June week 1 - Graduation week!!!
June vacation x 3 weeks. (? Home in MN for a bit)... Back in time for PEARL JAM!!!
July 1 - Start actually working for a paycheck! (woot)

After July 1, there's really almost nothing on my calendar. That scares me a little. This year is very much up in the air. Next year even more so. Bonkers. What am I going to do with my life?! (No, really... I'm open to some ideas here)

As I promised a few people, a lovely view of Dublin (and my car, Timmy) on New Year's Day.


Welcome to Dublin 2010... A place that feels strangely like a 3rd world country for about 2 weeks... I had an eventful start to the year though. Break-in, power failures, water shortages/outtages, car won't start, car starts, exams... *sigh* Onwards and upwards.

Bring it 2010... Bring it.

Where were you 10 years ago?

Q: Where were you 10 years ago?
A: Probably avoiding studying then too.

I've written my letters... Two this time. One for next year, and one for 2020 (AH! 2020!). And while some of the things in them are too personal to share here, there are a few I'm willing to answer.

So here are a few excerpts (cut down for censorship reasons) from my "Decade letter":

1st off... I miss-wrote Jan 1st... so I pointed out my "typo" and called myself a spa.

1. Where were you 10 years ago?
   
   Darn that Y2k nonsense! If I remember correctly, I spent NYE at Drew's house as per usual... black tie?
   
   Highlights: Slinky black velvet dress, Glen in a tux, Soooo many cookies... Sleeping under the Christmas tree, leaving at 8am for basketball... And frozen Mt.Dew as a breakfast slushie
   
   That was mid-senior year of high school. Accepted, but not committed to Notre Dame; captain of basketball and upcoming softball; working on yearbook, SEB, Student Council, Peer Helpers (Eve is fuzzy); and 2 steps shy of an absolute burnout... 17 years old and you thought the world would stop turning without you. Guess what, it didn't. But there was a minor slow-down...
   
   
2. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
   
   Alive. Let's start there. 37 years old... geographically speaking, I have NO idea...
   
   
3. What have you learned in the past 10 years?
   
   Making plans is like peeing in the ocean...
   You're loveable...
   You're smart...
   You're a tough cookie!...
   
   
4. Finish the following: 2000 was the decade of ____, 2010 will be the decade of ____.
   Growing pains... Chaotic peace...

That's all I'm really willing to share from that letter. I'm hoping I can hang on to it long enough to have it come 2020... Perhaps it's time I invested in a safety deposit box?

Hope the new year is treating you all well!
Peace,
~Liz

Happy New Year!

Welcome to a new decade!

I have to say, I rang in 2010 with much less pomp than most new year celebrations of my past. But hey, I have exams coming up. There's stuff to do. And the weather in Dublin, though entertaining, was not conducive to travel. I'll have to put up some pictures of the snow and ice (I took plenty). What I did do last night, was read the letter I wrote to myself Jan 1, 2009. It's a tradition I have... one of my newer traditions, but a tradition none-the-less. I was very gentle with myself last year. Very nice to myself. I actually almost cried when I read the letter. (that could have been the Prosecco talking). So now I'm going to sit down and write one for Liz - 2011. Before I do that, I have a few questions for everyone to ponder.

Where were you 10 years ago?
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
What 3 things do you want for 2010?
What did you accomplish in 2009?
What did you learn about yourself in 2009?
Finish the following: 2009 was the year of ____. 2010 will be a year of ____.

I'm going to think about these and send some love to myself for next year!

Peace,
~L