Thank You, and Goodnight

Earlier today I was subjected to the harrowing experience of lab clean-up. While not a fun experience, lab clean-up really means that I am done with anatomy lab! Of course, it also means that I am done with anatomy lab... (in a bad way). I enjoyed anatomy lab. In fact, I spent about 5 hours extra time yesterday on my own looking at things that we didn't have a chance to see in the scheduled lab time.

Dissection is a rewarding activity, and though it was a stressful thing at times to HAVE to dissect and do other studying at the same time, there is no replacing the experience that real-live dissection can provide.

I suppose now it is time for me to 'wax poetic' about donating your body to science, and how great that is. Obviously it is not for everyone. Having done what I have now done, I don't think that I would want to do it, nor would I advise anyone else to do it unless they really wanted to (donate their body). But, that said, I am really grateful that someone was willing to let some stranger (me) use his body in the pursuit of learning medicine.

This evening, as a class, we went over to the "Grotto" at Notre Dame, and lit a candle for each of our cadavers, and had a moment of silence to honor them. I was glad that we did that, even though it took away time that could have been spent studying for the big test of Friday, because it gave a sense of closure to the whole experience.

One Week

One week. That's all that separates me from being done with my first class in medical school. However, as a part of that week, I have to spend a ton of time getting ready to take the National Discipline Exam. It is great fun. So far today, I have looked at pictures in Gray's Anatomy for about 6 hours, and I have reached page 419!
This is probably a good place to point out, for those who don't know, that before Gray's Anatomy was a popular TV show, it was a world-famous Anatomy textbook. Just thought I'd drop some knowledge on ya. I guess not everyone knows that. I think they spell "Gray's" differently though. maybe with an "e". But I don't feel like looking it up, cause that's not important. And even though NOBODY else was thinking this (even though they have similar names), Gray's was NOT written Gandalf the Grey of Lord of the Rings fame. He's not even real... Although I have to believe that guy would be a great anatomist given the opportunity.
So that about sums it all up... in all seriousness, though, I really am looking forward to getting this class done with. It's been hard, and even though I've enjoyed some parts of it, it will be great to get this monkey off my back (if you will).

In an aside, the GFS flag football Blue League better look out, cause I got my cleats now. MBA students, you have been warned... lol, just kidding, I'm having a hard time believing we'll win any games... but you never know.

This is going to be a big week for me. I have roughly 7 days until the Gross Anatomy National Discipline Exam. Thus far in my anatomy class we have studied all areas of the body, seemingly at light speed, with no real pause or review. Now though, I am supposed to have learned everything that I need to know, and itis time for that review.

What time is it when the clock strikes 13?

At what point does studying become excessive? I think today may have reached that point. As it is now almost 3 in the morning, and I just got home from school, I think I can safely say that. However, what if it seems like nothing has 'sunk in'? Isn't that a bad thing? My test is tomorrow afternoon, with the Gross Anatomy National Discipline Exam to follow next Friday. I hope that the 7 weeks of studying has actually prepared me to take a test that puts my knowledge up against that of people who will have spent an entire semester studying it... can you say "rushed"? I can.
Not that it won't be great to have Gross Anatomy out of the way... its the one medical school class that EVERYONE knows about, and that I've been fearful of for about 5 years. To be honest, its been just as hard as I thought it would be. Just a LOT shorter. But again, it'll all be over in about a week! Unless I fail it, and have to remediate over the summer... that would be fun... not.

In a sidenote, the year that I buy season tickets to Notre Dame football games WOULD be the year they start out 0-4... Not that I'm a huge fan, but yeah, its probably more fun to watch a good team than an awful one.

It 'Dens' Here

Today was eerily similar to most every other day in the last week or so. Nothing too exciting. But, what you should probably be aware of are anatomy jokes. "What does that mean," you ask? Well, anatomy jokes are basically like regular jokes, but about anatomy. Dens jokes, fundifom jokes, hypogastric spray jokes, really almost anything. How in the world are those things funny? Well, I think its a combination of the inhalation of too many fumes in the lab and sleep deprivation that make almost anything hysterical. I've been making jokes about stuff I never dreamed of laughing at even a few short weeks ago. And also, other people are laughing with me and making jokes of their own!

Long Monday...

As it turns out, its a little bit weird to spend almost all of you time with the same 15 or so people. That's pretty much what has been going on in my life (give or take time not spent at school). To be honest, its not all bad, but in some ways, I feel like I'm losing touch with the rest of the world. I suppose that's life. But it is nice to actually talk to "normal" people every once in a while--not that that ever happens...
Today was Monday (maybe you knew that--its the best day of the week...). Weekend is over, an time to get back to studying. Boring stuff, but only 3 more weeks of anatomy! Quick recap of the weekend for ya: Friday night--went to a 'barbecue' after my exam. Saturday--woke up ~12. Went to laundromat for about 4 hours. By that time it was time for dinner. That's about all I did on Saturday. Sunday--finally went to church. Grace Church in Granger. It was cool. It was good to be at church again. Then I came home, did some studying, and then went and got my hair cut. Just for the record, Greatclips ain't got nothing on Gary's Barber Shop.

So yeah. Weekend was good. Long Monday, not so great, but not bad either. Long Tuesday's coming up though.

Weekend

Earlier today, I had an exam. What that really means is that this is a REAL weekend! Nevermind how I did on the test, I don't have anything hanging over my head for Monday. It's almost like being normal again...

Anyway, not a whole lot to write down, but its pretty sweet.