Things to do when an abundance of free time is on your hands

So I made a list a couple posts back of the things I wanted to do over this winter break. I'm excited to announce that I actually checked off a few things. The big one is that I finished watching the whole first season of Heroes. Holla at your girl! Now I understand the obsession that my roommate has with the show. I'm trying to finish season two so at least I'll be somewhat caught up in order to carry a decent conversation about super human powers:)

As for the Twilight saga...I'm almost done. Book three was tackled today...so melodramatic! Bella is quickly becoming a character I despise. Granted that her friends are vampires and werewolves and it's hard to hold her own among them...but still...she's getting on my nerves!

So far, my winter break has been so relaxing. My sister and I have been hanging out doing random things. I went out with my parents last night to listen to some music at a lounge...shout out to J.A.M.M. who plays nightly except Mondays at Bally's Hotel Lounge. I've also been taking pictures...lots and lots of pictures with my new Nikon D80. Finally got it! Yay!

At the very least, I accomplished a big goal: Med school is currently NOT on the brain.

Weddings

I'm convinced that weddings are the best things on earth:) I just got back from a wedding of a dear friend and I had the most fabulous time! It was like a family reunion of sort because some old friends were there and some of my parents' old friends were there...people who we grew up calling "aunty" and "uncle". Yeah, they were all there! haha. It was a good time. The most hilarious part of the night was when the bartender said we were his busiest patrons...as in me and my sister. How sad!

Laundry list for winter break...

Because I can't seem to stop thinking about Christmas and winter break, although I have two monstrous exams looming over me, I will write out ten things I would like to do or need to do this break.
1. Attend a wedding of an old friend- TOP OF THE LIST!
2. Hiking at least once with my sister
3. Snowboard with Susan for the first time....ahh!
4. Analyze my data from my summer project...this is a "NEED TO DO" but not a "want".
5. Watch Heroes seasons 1, 2, and...is it season 3 now? I will make my mom watch with me.
6. Finish books 2 and 3 of Twilight
7. A handful of spin classes...this may be pushing it.
8. NEVER SIGN ONTO GMAIL...NOT EVEN ONCE!
9. Play Rockband with Clari and the gang.
10. Visit Firefly's to drink some sangria and eat some tres leches...yum!

I didn't get the memo about Christmas season.

The madness begins...

Scenario

Today I finished my first of four final exams for this semester and as soon as I walked out of the exam room, I went straight into my study room to set up shop. Many hours later into studying about lymphomas for Monday's Path final, my roommate (who is one of my classmates) asks me one of those "would you rather" type of questions. This is a snippet of our conversation with another one of our classmates:

Roommate: "Would you rather give birth to a baby or go through second year all over again?"

Me: *stunned and speechless*

Other classmate: "Are you crazy? I don't want to tear."

Roommate: "No, seriously. I think I would rather deliver a child than go through this semester again."

Me: *Still stunned and speechless with crossed eyes from staring at my computer screen for way too long>*

Other classmate: "Well...I would rather deliver a child than go through the first TWO years of medical school. If someone were to take my place for the first couple years of med school and I would have to deliver a baby in return, I would sign up for that...I would deliver three children!"

Roommate: "That's just excessive. I just asked about one child. Heck no I wouldn't have more than one! Are you nuts?"

Me: "I think I agree with classmate on this one, roommate. I would deliver three children in the place of the first two years of med school. Just get it done and over with. No big deal."


Productive studying at its best.

Picture says it all...

TIME SENSITIVE: Master's Program Scholarship

So a friend sent me these applications, but I'm already in a program of study. The University of Ryukyus in Japan is looking to accept and offer a scholarship to one Samoan from Apia to complete a Master's Program in health sciences. The application is due soon as they're looking to start classes in March of the coming year. If you know anyone, please send them my email and I will be happy to send them the application for this wonderful opportunity!

Thanks,
Email: annabjana@gmail.com

3 olives shake it up...i like it dirty.

Today was a little interesting...which is surprising considering that all I have been doing for the last few weeks involved me being permanently plastered to a chair and table. So this was a treat...sort of.

Today, we were trained on the Genital-urinary exam and I performed my first prostate and rectal exam on a male. Now, I know what you're thinking. But, you have to understand that for the past year and a half of my medical school career, ALL of my patients have been women because I follow around an OB/GYN. Not that I'm complaining because I'm really interested in going into something related to women's health. But when something so different comes around, IT'S INTERESTING!

First, I have to say that our standardized patients were great today. They were extremely professional and very proficient in teaching this exam. I honestly cannot imagine getting multiple speculum exams multiple times in one day by a number of different people, but I guess they are very well compensated for their "troubles". But still...compensation would have to be SUBSTANTIAL for me to agree to get up on the stirrups voluntarily and more than once...and even if that were the case, I can honestly say that I would still say "NO!" So, I'm really grateful that there are people who are willing to sacrifice their bodies and a little of their dignity so little pre-docs like me can learn:)

Also, I have come to the conclusion that the woman's wellness exam is not only much more difficult- it's extremely messy! I mean...guys have it so much easier. A cough here and there, a "minimal" prod in the rear, and we can call it a day. Well, it's not that simple but...just the speculum exam alone requires some hard knock thinking. Have you ever held one of those speculums? It LOOKS dangerous and I'm sure if you tried walking through airport security with it, you will get tackled to the ground by a dude of substantial weight and size, at the minimum! And the instrument has to be manipulated with only one hand, while the other hand figures out all the swabbing and collecting of samples. Opportunities for technical difficulties are at every corner.

What's even worse is that I'm one of those people who's facial expressions give away everything that goes on in the brain. It's a real surprise that I come away from poker tables with some money still in my pocket. So while I fumble awkwardly with the speculum, my face sells me out on the fact that a) i have no idea what i am doing (BIG surprise here!) b) i'm agitated from no sleep and not eating all day and c) all i want to do is sit on the beach, which is what i always want to do. Oh...let me add that a festive but strong cosmo is very much needed, which would be d.

Thanksgiving fun!

I had so much fun this Thanksgiving because I managed to keep going home a big secret from my parents. They were pleasantly surprised when I met them and my sister at dinner the Wednesday before Turkey Day. I mean...how could I possibly not be home on my absolute favorite holiday? I did use the excuse that I needed to study when I broke the "bad news" to my parents that I wouldn't be going home for Thanksgiving this year...and of course, they bought it! Hahaha....the schemes.

My cousin Andrew, who is a marine stationed in Okinawa was visiting his brother and mom for the holiday so we had a special guest this year. And of course, there's never a complete Thanksgiving without some poker. Holla at your girl for winning a round of poker!

Being sick aint no fun!

Last night, I got home and felt rather queasy. I figured it was my stomach telling me it didn't like my rapid change of food from yummy delicious Thanksgiving food to the boring med student meal of sandwiches. So I get ready to study and learn about viruses and very quickly, the queasy feeling became this uncontrollable urge to puke. Of course at this point, I'm laid out on my bed with my laptop trying to concentrate on the material but it gets quite difficult considering the room is spinning a little. I then run to the bathroom and try not to look at the toilet because it will be all over at that point. I splash some water on my face and take a few deep breaths. The wave of nausea passes...and I figure that I'm safe to get back into the comfy confines of my bed.

The night then progresses into my laptop falling off my bed onto the floor (luckily, my room is carpeted and my bed isn't too far up from the floor) and me writhing in pain from this stomach situation. Oh God, I think. I canot afford to get sick right now! I have so much studying to do and my night is now over. Gosh, I hate being sick!

Whatever it is I got, it sucks! It's amazing how terrible you feel when you get sick. Your body doesn't feel right. The world doesn't feel right. And everything just gets out of your own control. It's now day 2 of this thing that I have been calling gastroenteritis/food poisoning/stomach flu (I refuse to go see a doctor bc I dont have time) and I still haven't eaten and really don't feel an urge to eat in fear that I will expel the contents in some way.

A thought just came to mind...does anyone have a good recipe for chicken soup?

Holy Moly...how did I get so behind?

This is a question I ask myself EVERYDAY in medical school and I ask this of myself when I just remembered about my blog. Haha. I just realized that it has been a while since I last posted. I really can't write up on what I like to call the "back scoop" because it would take way too long and it's already 2:30 am, which is way past my bed time. So, I will sum it up as best as I can. Here goes...

So, the last set of exams were cruel and unusual punishment...even the worst terrorist wouldn't deserve those exam questions. I turned 25 and celebrated with some fabulous people and wine, of course...but sadly, I didn't get an opportunity to blow out candles and make a wish for the next year of life...but that's okay, because I made a wish while sipping from a wine glass:) I decided to surprise my parents over Thanksgiving by flying home and playing tourist with them and my sister, Deidre, for a couple nights on the LV Strip. I consumed an exorbitant amount of food, played poker (and won), and spent time with family on Thanksgiving Day. I am currently obsessing over getting two things: a nose piercing and a Nikon D80 (I know...I'm still thinking about it). The nose piercing will have to wait until Christmas because I have way too many military obligations this semester. I am praying every possible second to pass my exams in 3 weeks so that I can enjoy a dear friends' wedding (shout-out to Christine who will no longer be a single gal in t-minus 3 weeks). And last but not least, I just bought the new Blackberry touch phone (Storm)...this thing is pretty sweet but SUPER ANNOYING TO LEARN! I must confess that this was the first handbook I read cover to cover. Such a loser! I thought I could figure it out on my own, but finally gave up when I locked myself out of MY OWN PHONE and had to go to the Verizon store and ask for help on this one issue. I know the Verizon guy thought I was some kind of nincompoop.

Until the next post, hasta pasta.