It’s been a while. The week of Feb 21st to the 25th was finals. I was nonstop studying. I had Biochemistry on Monday, Psych and Clinical on Tuesday, Physiology on Wednesday, and Anatomy and Histology on Friday. It was a rough week. The worst of the exams were Friday’s. I walked out of the exams genuinely concerned that I might have failed the courses. Unfortunately, since there were written portions to the exams, they would take a few days to grade. Then, to cap off an already long day Friday, we had our memorial ceremony for the cadavers following the exam. We had to work an additional hour after finishing the exam. Part of the wrap-up process was a literal “wrap-up” of the cadavers. We had to package the bodies for return shipment into body bags. We left the brains out because we will use them this (3rd) quarter. We finally finished and were ale to leave. You wouldn’t believe the uses we found for duct tape!
The week after finals was spring break. We had planned a trip to Legoland and Disneyland. I had 2 days for work around the house and then we left on Wednesday. I got a lot done. We got our spring/summer garden planted, car maintenance, landscaping maintenance, cleaning, etc. Oddly enough, I actually enjoyed doing those chores. Anything but studying! Wednesday rolled around, and still I had no word on my results. I had all of my grades except for the two that I was most concerned about. I checked our online reporting system about ½ hour before we left. Anatomy had a line displaying for the grades, but it was not populated yet. But Histology was there. Something is wrong when you walk out of an exam thinking you might have failed, and you end up with an A in the class. I checked back with Anatomy. Still there was nothing. I kept refreshing the screen. After about 5 minutes, there it was. My B. After all of that worrying, I got an A and a B. It just reinforces my feeling that I am the worst assessor of my own performance on an exam.
The trip was fun. We invited my in-laws to go with us. Legoland was better that I expected it to be. The kids really enjoyed it. There were lots of rids and activities geared for their ages. Disneyland was fun, too. But the crowds were larger and there was more walking. By Saturday night, we were all ready to go home. But that meant that I had to drive all night to get there. We pulled in at 3:00 AZ time. Sunday was restful.
Monday was back to school. My courses do not appear to be too difficult except for Neuroscience. I am taking Physiology, Immunology, OMM, Psychiatry, Clinical Medicine, and a couple of general medical lectures. I have spent about 3 hours per night on just Neuroscience. More than all of my other classes combined. I hope it pays off. We have our first exam on Friday.
The blog hiatus was unfortunately necessary due to a lack of time. As it is, I have much to do tonight before bed, so it’s off to the brain vasculature…
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Friday, February 18, 2005
Endure to the End
Have you ever had one of those times where you feel like you are at mile 25 of a marathon and just realized that the last mile is up a 10% incline? That’s about how I feel. Today was the last day of class for the second quarter of school. One more to go and I will be done with my first year. However, next week is my finals week.
I already had finals for my OMM class last week. It was a two-parter (written and practical). I did alright. I scored slightly above average, but not what I had hoped for. However, there is some controversy. The final lecture given was poorly done. Worse than the delivery, was the handout. Our exams are primarily taken from our lecture handouts. When they printed them (from the PowerPoint slides) they did a “background print” which reversed the text coloring. In other words, all of the text was white (on a light gray background). None of the notes were legible. We asked the professor about the notes and he indicated that we would receive new notes from the department secretary.
Exam day rolls around and we had not received any notes, so we concluded that that lecture would not be tested on the written notes. Wrong. 10% of the questions were from those notes. In discussing the exam with other students, it turns out that the secretary did print new legible notes and put them in the OMM lab. However, she did not tell the class that they were available or where they were. There were about 5 students that happened upon the notes and got copies. They did not let the other students know about the notes either. The really sad part is that one of the recipients is our class liaison and should have emailed the class to let us know about the notes.
Well, the secretary thinks that the exam is OK since a few of the students found the notes. Of course, that doesn’t sit well with the other 150 students that did not. A few (5) have formed a formal appeals committee (med school beurocracy) to appeal those questions. Who knows what will happen.
This coming week I have 5 final exams. Friday is my last one. Fittingly, it is Anatomy. I have enjoyed the course, but it has been a challenge. Following the exam, we are having a memorial to pay respect to the donors. Then we package the bodies for return to the donor program. We have had to keep ALL parts removed in a large plastic bin under our tables. The donor company verifies that all parts are accounted for thanks to the UCLA scandal.
I have a TON of studying to do over the next week for my exams. I hope things go well. I am in a good place with regards to my grades. I’ve done well enough this quarter so that I only need about a 30% on my exams to pass, but of course I want to do as well as I can.
Wish me luck (or skill, whichever works)!
I already had finals for my OMM class last week. It was a two-parter (written and practical). I did alright. I scored slightly above average, but not what I had hoped for. However, there is some controversy. The final lecture given was poorly done. Worse than the delivery, was the handout. Our exams are primarily taken from our lecture handouts. When they printed them (from the PowerPoint slides) they did a “background print” which reversed the text coloring. In other words, all of the text was white (on a light gray background). None of the notes were legible. We asked the professor about the notes and he indicated that we would receive new notes from the department secretary.
Exam day rolls around and we had not received any notes, so we concluded that that lecture would not be tested on the written notes. Wrong. 10% of the questions were from those notes. In discussing the exam with other students, it turns out that the secretary did print new legible notes and put them in the OMM lab. However, she did not tell the class that they were available or where they were. There were about 5 students that happened upon the notes and got copies. They did not let the other students know about the notes either. The really sad part is that one of the recipients is our class liaison and should have emailed the class to let us know about the notes.
Well, the secretary thinks that the exam is OK since a few of the students found the notes. Of course, that doesn’t sit well with the other 150 students that did not. A few (5) have formed a formal appeals committee (med school beurocracy) to appeal those questions. Who knows what will happen.
This coming week I have 5 final exams. Friday is my last one. Fittingly, it is Anatomy. I have enjoyed the course, but it has been a challenge. Following the exam, we are having a memorial to pay respect to the donors. Then we package the bodies for return to the donor program. We have had to keep ALL parts removed in a large plastic bin under our tables. The donor company verifies that all parts are accounted for thanks to the UCLA scandal.
I have a TON of studying to do over the next week for my exams. I hope things go well. I am in a good place with regards to my grades. I’ve done well enough this quarter so that I only need about a 30% on my exams to pass, but of course I want to do as well as I can.
Wish me luck (or skill, whichever works)!
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
The Court Jester
So, I have decided that I hate lawyers. I’ll admit it, I’m a rabid anti-lawite. Now before any pro lawyer type goes ballistic and sues me, let me say that my sister is a lawyer. Also, may I submit a recent experience for your consideration (lawyer talk for Here’s a little story).
I got drug (as a witness) into a lawsuit filed by a former coworker (from 5 years ago). He supposed that I had some incriminating information about my former employer (which I did not). His lawyers really wanted to depose me, so I was extended an invitation (a.k.a. subpoena) to meet with them as well as the defense counsel. In order to confirm my address for the subpoena, someone concocted an elaborate scheme to trick me into thinking that I was giving my address to a potential client. When I tried to call the individual back based on the phone number on my caller ID, I was connected to this former coworkers’ cell phone. Hmmm, already fishy.
I was eventually deposed and videotaped. I had hoped that that was all. But no, I then got subpoenaed by both sides to testify at trial. A couple of days before the trial, I called to confirm the time to be there and they told me that it had been continued until a later date. Apparently they had no intention of letting me know that. Nice communication!
A few months later I get another 2 subpoenas, one from each side. I called the prosecution to try to find out when I will be testifying. As it turns out, THEY DON’T WANT ME! But the defense still did. That’s irony. The people that took the time to hunt me down decide that they would rather not have my information but their opponents would. It took 4 phone calls to the defense to find out when I would be testifying. It was finally set. Wouldn’t you know it, right in the middle of Finals at school! Of course, my schedule and convenience don’t really matter when there’s cash on the line. I had to get special permission to miss my final anatomy lab (we are required to be at all sessions). I was to be at trial at 1:30 PM on Tuesday.
Then on Monday at 3:30, I got a call from the defense. They now needed me there at 9:30 in the morning. They were anticipating finishing early and didn’t want to have to wait until the afternoon for my testimony. Great, now I have to quickly rearrange my morning to accommodate them. Plus, my wife and I were planning on attending a temple session since the trial was about 5 miles from the temple. That was not going to happen now, too.
So, I get up and drive the 1 hour 30 minutes in rush hour to the courthouse. I was prompt at 9:30. Wouldn’t you know it… I waited until 12:00 before ANYONE gave me an update on when I would testify. “After the lunch break at 1:15 sharp”, they told me. So I went to lunch, fairly put out. I got back at 1:10 and waited around until 1:35 to testify. I was asked a total of 12 questions (including my name and occupation) that lasted 7 minutes!!! The answers that I gave were confirmation of facts they already knew. Then they dismissed me.
I understand that I am not paying their bills, but come on. A little common courtesy would do wonders for their already less-than-pristine image. If this whole experience never happens again, it’ll still be too soon!
I got drug (as a witness) into a lawsuit filed by a former coworker (from 5 years ago). He supposed that I had some incriminating information about my former employer (which I did not). His lawyers really wanted to depose me, so I was extended an invitation (a.k.a. subpoena) to meet with them as well as the defense counsel. In order to confirm my address for the subpoena, someone concocted an elaborate scheme to trick me into thinking that I was giving my address to a potential client. When I tried to call the individual back based on the phone number on my caller ID, I was connected to this former coworkers’ cell phone. Hmmm, already fishy.
I was eventually deposed and videotaped. I had hoped that that was all. But no, I then got subpoenaed by both sides to testify at trial. A couple of days before the trial, I called to confirm the time to be there and they told me that it had been continued until a later date. Apparently they had no intention of letting me know that. Nice communication!
A few months later I get another 2 subpoenas, one from each side. I called the prosecution to try to find out when I will be testifying. As it turns out, THEY DON’T WANT ME! But the defense still did. That’s irony. The people that took the time to hunt me down decide that they would rather not have my information but their opponents would. It took 4 phone calls to the defense to find out when I would be testifying. It was finally set. Wouldn’t you know it, right in the middle of Finals at school! Of course, my schedule and convenience don’t really matter when there’s cash on the line. I had to get special permission to miss my final anatomy lab (we are required to be at all sessions). I was to be at trial at 1:30 PM on Tuesday.
Then on Monday at 3:30, I got a call from the defense. They now needed me there at 9:30 in the morning. They were anticipating finishing early and didn’t want to have to wait until the afternoon for my testimony. Great, now I have to quickly rearrange my morning to accommodate them. Plus, my wife and I were planning on attending a temple session since the trial was about 5 miles from the temple. That was not going to happen now, too.
So, I get up and drive the 1 hour 30 minutes in rush hour to the courthouse. I was prompt at 9:30. Wouldn’t you know it… I waited until 12:00 before ANYONE gave me an update on when I would testify. “After the lunch break at 1:15 sharp”, they told me. So I went to lunch, fairly put out. I got back at 1:10 and waited around until 1:35 to testify. I was asked a total of 12 questions (including my name and occupation) that lasted 7 minutes!!! The answers that I gave were confirmation of facts they already knew. Then they dismissed me.
I understand that I am not paying their bills, but come on. A little common courtesy would do wonders for their already less-than-pristine image. If this whole experience never happens again, it’ll still be too soon!
Double Your Pleasure Double Your Fun
Sorry about the duplicate posts that were there. I email in my posts and there was a delay sending or receiving them. I sent one off and it never arrived, so I resent it. I even sent a test email, but nothing. So I manually posted it. Then a few days later, bada boom bada bing, duplicate posts. I think that they are all cleaned up now.
Please forgive me.
Please forgive me.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Return of the Prodigal Son
When I was getting ready to start school, I didn’t realize the extent of the sacrifices I’d be called upon to make. Before school began, we gave up our…gulp...Costco membership. It was hard to do, but we figured that we could go with someone else if we needed to get something. Well, six months later, I returned to Costco, this time, under the wing (membership card) of my father. Costco had a massage table that I wanted to get to do OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine) on. One of the differences between an MD and a DO is that a DO is trained to correct skeletal and muscular dysfunctions in order to return the body to its natural state. Structure and function are so closely related, it only makes sense that if your framework is dysfunctional, other things must compensate or suffer along with it. We don’t only treat the spine (common misconception equating us with Chiropractors). We deal with all musculoskeletal issues. If you ask me, it is just another tool that I have to help improve the quality of peoples’ lives.
Anyways, I went to Costco to buy my table. This is it here. When I got it home, my kids were begging me to open it and give them a “massage”. They see me working on my wife and her family and now want their turn. It has been a couple of days and I still have not been able to give them their “massage”. They are funny. They are so supportive and excited for me. Emma (my 5 year old daughter), now says that she wants to be a doctor. It is hard for me to be away as much as I am. Even if I am home, I’m studying and not playing. There will be successive days in which I do not see them because I leave before they are up and get home after they are in bed. One day, Emma asked me if, “I was coming home today?” It just about broke my heart. That was in the midst of my crazy exam week a while back. Luckily, I was going to be home earlier that night. In fact, it was the morning of my Anatomy exam and I came home about 2:30 that afternoon. I played with the kids all that day and we even went out to dinner that night. I think I read Harry Potter to them for about an hour. It was a nice afternoon. I don’t get too many of those these days. Even though I am very driven and passionate about what I am doing, I am more passionate about my family. It is a difficult balance, but I try hard to make it work. I am sure that my grades suffer a little, but in the end what is really more important? They are sacrificing so much for me; it is only fair that I can sacrifice a little for them, too.
Anyways, I went to Costco to buy my table. This is it here. When I got it home, my kids were begging me to open it and give them a “massage”. They see me working on my wife and her family and now want their turn. It has been a couple of days and I still have not been able to give them their “massage”. They are funny. They are so supportive and excited for me. Emma (my 5 year old daughter), now says that she wants to be a doctor. It is hard for me to be away as much as I am. Even if I am home, I’m studying and not playing. There will be successive days in which I do not see them because I leave before they are up and get home after they are in bed. One day, Emma asked me if, “I was coming home today?” It just about broke my heart. That was in the midst of my crazy exam week a while back. Luckily, I was going to be home earlier that night. In fact, it was the morning of my Anatomy exam and I came home about 2:30 that afternoon. I played with the kids all that day and we even went out to dinner that night. I think I read Harry Potter to them for about an hour. It was a nice afternoon. I don’t get too many of those these days. Even though I am very driven and passionate about what I am doing, I am more passionate about my family. It is a difficult balance, but I try hard to make it work. I am sure that my grades suffer a little, but in the end what is really more important? They are sacrificing so much for me; it is only fair that I can sacrifice a little for them, too.
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