Nero exam #1

I am becoming too consistent. I had hoped to build some padding into my Neuro exam as the second year students suggested. Instead I hit my average of 94.5%. I somehow missed three on the written and forgot to transcribe one answer to my scantron, so I need to go to the review. But my score probably won't change.

Other than that, it's been a slow week. I received my new Dell subnotebook in the mail and wasted some time setting it up. Then this morning I found out it crashed while organizing my songs' tags. I may have to re-install the OS, but I'm hoping the repair process can fix the corrupted files.

Dr. Jones is finishing up my Fellowship application tomorrow. I hear there's a bit of a competition for the awards, but I'm hopeful that I'll "win". Anyway, I'm hosting a planning meeting for the Oncology Club tomorrow. I hope it goes well as I would really like a strong start and some plans on the schedule this Spring (guest speakers) and next year (Club week).

Last but not least, Becky got the kids' flu and has been under the weather so I've been watching the kids too. Bottom line is that I haven't gotten much studying done. Other that preparing for my Physiology presentation today, I haven't really done any studying. That sure needs to change.

Oh, had my Preceptorship afternoon (#2 of 4) yesterday and that was interesting. Interesting patients and a great Physician sure make it worthwhile, even if I'm getting much H&P or exam experience. Tomorrow evening I have a formal, simulated-patient, H&P exam for my clinical correlates class. In other words, this weekend is going to be full of studying.

Week 3 down

The weeks are going by faster now. I guess everything isn't so new. In fact this week was especially routine. On the bright side, I got back my first Immuno and Phys tests. While they weren't as high as I'd hoped, I'm not going to shed any tears over 94%+.

The rest of the week was studying, dealing with sick kids and studying for Monday's Neuro test. Well studying between freaking out over the ambiguous, unintuitive and and highly verbose nomenclature. Everything has three names; one after a dead guy, one the 'nerve' group it belongs to and an odd one just for kicks. Eight hours of doctorate level lectures a week on any topic is just crazy.

In fact, I should be studying now. I have three lectures more to review to get through all seventeen in this unit for the first time! That's 6-7 hours before I can start reviewing, which I really have no clue how to do. It's going to be a long weekend of going over the information time after time in hopes that it all starts to sink in. And somehow I have to fit in time for Connor's B-day and Easter.

Anyway, not a lot more to report. I'm making a little progress on my Fellowship proposal. But I still need to finish slides for a Phys case, line up CT & X-ray time with a local radiological group and get the Oncology club going. First meeting is scheduled for next week. I still have to send out an e-mail on that and try to ensure that turnout is good so we can make some progress this year.

That's about it. I'm riding my bike most days, but it's not enough to start taking some of the freshman weight off. The weather is great so I'm enjoying it. But it's going to take swimming in the pool when the water warms up and regular runs/rides after school is out. Of course I'm still reserving starvation as an option. I need to take this weight off before next year starts. It's going to be very hard to exercise and will be followed by Boards and then Rotations with no time to focus on exercise and shedding weight.

Ok, that's enough procrastinating. Time to head back to the student lounge and see I can get through two lectures this evening.

Julie, Connor and Becky before the Mariner game starts. What a beautiful day!

Artemis playing the Alpha Male.

Connor and Becky enjoying my B-day cake.

An older brother's job is never done. Rope training began pretty much on day one.

Hard to get the five of us boys together in one shot with everyone's eyes open.

Colton and Artemis.

Cedar showing Artemis the ropes, in this case the designated bio-functions area.

Another shot from inside his kennel. It was a tough decision between the three males the "breeder" (street side vendor is more accurate) but Artemis won us over.

Julie pretty much fell in love with that face immediately.

Little Artemis checking out his new home.

Cedar isn't too thrilled on our first day with his new brother, 6.5 week old Artemis.

What a couple! Dan and Miho looking great together.

The boys, Becky and I joined by my brother Dan and his "friend" Miho (who we hope to see a lot more of!).

The riders getting interviewed by a local reporter.

Becky's brothers Dave and Paul after their ride from Seattle to Spring Training (1800 miles) for a cancer fund raiser. They are on the field for the first pitch.

Another great pose with the boys.

The whole family turned out (my dad and stepmom aren't shown).

The boys posed at Disneyland.