Wonderful State of Mind

The waning moments before finals for this term are upon us. Hard to believe I've been here almost a year already, but it has really flown by. When I contemplate where I am today compared to a year ago, I'm sure glad I took that leap of faith into the abyss and thank my family and friends for their support.

It's not been without it's moments, and it's not been the easiest thing I've done in my life, but overall this was a great decision, and I love where it's going. Break in a short bit will be welcomed, but I'm looking forward to coming back and finishing up this part of the process and heading toward national boards part 1.

And, I got a chocolate bunny this past week that I just ate for breakfast...so everything looks wonderful from the buzz of chocolate, caffeine, and sugar

Tenacity

Tenacity: The capacity to move forward without allowing "bumps" in the road (or falls) deter you from your goal; doggedness: persistent determination; See "Lance Armstrong"

So, 2 days after major orthopaedic surgery to repair his busted up clavicle, Lance was on a bike training. The x-ray is evidence of how severe the break was (noted to be in 4 pieces) and how much metal was placed. This surgery took hours. And to be out training within days is amazing let alone against recommendations of the surgeon.

But, that's why he's Lance right? I'll never complain about an injury again.

Scared

It's good to be scared. It means you still have something to lose.

I feel is almost daily, and it's not obtrusive or debilitating. It's just there. It's that genetic or learned implant of the limbic system that has us watchful and protective, like a gazelle drinking from the African stream, knowing the cheetah drinks there too.

Finals are like that cheetah, off in the distance, slowly sauntering toward the stream. I'm drinking quickly, as much as I can before I have to engage it. Sometimes you feel like you have more time than other times (Like now).

Don't wonder why people go crazy. Wonder why they don't. In face of what we can lose in a day, in an instant, wonder what the hell it is that make us hold it together.

Happy Passover & Easter

It is that time of year. It's a 4 day holiday here, and this place will shut down Thursday afternoon for the weekend to celebrate Easter. A mini seder tonight, and hopefully sunrise on an Atlantic beach on Sunday. There are plenty of wandering goats to slaughter here, and I am the first born, but I don't think I'll be doing any paint jobs this week. I don't think my landlord would appreciate it anyway.

But I want to wish everyone a Happy Passover and Easter...the time of the year where Old Testament  meets New...

The last supper, a Passover seder...

It is a great time to reflect on the blessings and wonderful people in our lives, and appreciate the depth of our history and heritage.

I Can See the Light

We have been BLESSED and visited by the angel of healthcare!! OMG...the arrival of new prof of pathology, and experiencing his first lecture left me in awe, breathless and energized. He's sooooo GOOD!! Just when you think things can't get any worse, they get better. And I don't know who is responsible for getting him here, but we are so grateful for this breath of intellectual, teaching and professorial fresh air. In the words of an administrator, we move from embarrassment to the light.

Whew!! It's about time! We really needed this.

Only 2 weeks until finals and then a needed break for home. I'm so going to enjoy this one after this last assault. Can't wait to see everyone, eat my fave foods and ready my brain for summer term. And after today, I'm actually looking forward to summer term. That's a great feeling.

Aye, Fame

You know you are getting old when your fave bands are being inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame. Two of my them are being inducted...Jeff Beck and Metallica. Ugh!

As a new police recruit, I was assigned to Kevin, a senior training officer. Kevin was cool, calm and let me make mistakes to learn the craft of keeping the peace. He also introduced me to Metallica cruising the streets on those late midnight shifts or running radar sitting the median of the highway. We could just pick up a distance FM station from a neighboring state, high in the mountains. It was a treat and a great way to stay awake on those quiet nights. Thanks for introducing me to the rockingest band and some of the most fun air guitar sessions ever.

Oh ya, school....two more weeks until finals and break. I am ready for some U.S. food, drive thru, and chillaxin with family and friends. The courses haven't changed much. The painful transition of course instructors has just drifted into total powerless numbness. It just is what it is, and in the words of a physician friend of mine now in practice...just get thru this part to "pledge the fraternity" that is medicine. The daily struggle is more a daily drift wherever the river takes me. Too close to tip the boat. In the meantime, the diving has been AWESOME!

"All these words I don't just say, and nothing else matters..."

Soon enough!

I'm not really counting down. It'll get here when it gets here. I am really enjoying school and life here. I relish in everyday and the learning has been pretty good as we shift to more study alone and small groups. They less I've expected of the profs, the better it feels. They are, for the most part, useless. Medical school could be all self study and we wouldn't miss a thing. Alas, the ones that add value are all gone now :( Sad really.

Studying, Really!

I'm really studying :)