Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Things have been quite hectic. Friday marked the last day of class, and the day that we finished all 3 pages of our check-offs. Our finals start with a bang on Monday. We have our Clinical Skills written final and practical, combined worth half our grade. I'm not as worried about the written portion, but the practical scares me. We will be given, at random, with a random partner, 5-6 skills to demonstrate and explain as we are video-taped. If you don't pass the practical with an 80%, you don't pass the class...no pressure! Tuesday is our Seminar final that we're taking as a group (I love this class!). Wednesday is our Anatomy lab practical, and Thursday is our Anatomy lecture final. And then I'm out of here!
I got my titers back, and apparently am not immune to Hepatitis B and Rubella, despite getting all the required shots. More support for the theory that vaccinations aren't as effective as you age. So I have to get those shots before I head out town. Goody!
Plans for the break:
Thursday drive up to SLO
Friday-Monday Jeff and I will join his parents in Kernville
Monday-Thursday I'll relax in SLO
Thursday-Friday I'll be at home (Friday we're going to Wicked)
Saturday Jeff and I are going to La Landa del Raton Miguel (Disneyland) :)
Sunday I'll head back to West Covina :(
Meanwhile, I'll be catching up on all the sleep I didn't get the past 9 weeks, making notecards for the next 9 weeks, and hopefully letting my brain get a break. I'm really looking forward to doing nothing!
Hope everyone is doing well, and maybe I'll be able to return phone calls and emails for once! :) Wish me luck this coming week!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Week 6
Only two more weeks of classes followed by a week of finals, and my first term of grad school is already over! I cannot believe it. I ended up doing fairly well on all the tests I had last week. I got 100% in seminar, but that doesn't really count because we took it as a class. :) I got a 98% in Professional Relationships, not sure how I did on the quiz in Anatomy because he was out of town this past week, and passed the stinkin' anatomy practical with an 80%. I know there are people in our class who did not even pass the practical, so I will stay satisfied knowing that I passed and aim for higher next time.
I finally got my blood drawn, and I have HUGE veins according to the second nurse. I'm never going back to the health center again for lab work! My mom stopped by yesterday on her way to Arizona. We got a shopping trip in to Target and had a nice catch-up chat over lunch. I know she stayed longer than she had intended, but it was nice having her around. Last night I went over to Jeff's Aunt Suzie's and met up with his parents, and the Mitas family. We planned out our trip back from the wedding in Colorado in August, and I'm really excited to be going to a bunch of National Parks that I've never been to. I also helped make decisions on the bridal shower. It was nice to get out of the apartment, and spend time with people who are not in the program.
I've got a Clinical Skills test tomorrow, so I'm meeting up with people to study later today. I've got CPR training early Wednesday morning, and then we're going to a hospital in Pomona to interview patients. We're practicing our initial evaluation skills, and I think it'll be a nice change from sitting inside a classroom. I can't wait to go home this weekend, even if it is for only a day and a half. Things are moving quickly, and I really can't wait for the break. May the luck of the Irish be with you tomorrow!
I finally got my blood drawn, and I have HUGE veins according to the second nurse. I'm never going back to the health center again for lab work! My mom stopped by yesterday on her way to Arizona. We got a shopping trip in to Target and had a nice catch-up chat over lunch. I know she stayed longer than she had intended, but it was nice having her around. Last night I went over to Jeff's Aunt Suzie's and met up with his parents, and the Mitas family. We planned out our trip back from the wedding in Colorado in August, and I'm really excited to be going to a bunch of National Parks that I've never been to. I also helped make decisions on the bridal shower. It was nice to get out of the apartment, and spend time with people who are not in the program.
I've got a Clinical Skills test tomorrow, so I'm meeting up with people to study later today. I've got CPR training early Wednesday morning, and then we're going to a hospital in Pomona to interview patients. We're practicing our initial evaluation skills, and I think it'll be a nice change from sitting inside a classroom. I can't wait to go home this weekend, even if it is for only a day and a half. Things are moving quickly, and I really can't wait for the break. May the luck of the Irish be with you tomorrow!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Week 5
What a week! I think this was the most tiring week of my life, at least mentally. The bags under my eyes are proof of the little sleep I got last week. I honestly wasn't sure if I was going to make it, but my coffee cup says it all!
It started off with a test in Clinical Skills on Monday, which I am VERY proud to say I got 100% on. As exciting as that score is, it's even more impressive when there are people in the class who didn't even pass the test...boo-yah! Our presentations on Tuesday for Seminar ended up being postponed to "sometime before the end of the term"...nice to know the director does have a heart after all! Wednesday I turned in my take-home midterm for Professional Relationships. Thursday marked another gruesome Anatomy quiz, which I hope I did well on. Friday was the ever-important Anatomy practical, which I thought I did decent on, but then as people started talking about it, I'm less sure of my success on it. I guess I'll find out this Friday. Friday I also got my physical done and my tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis (TDAP) shot. I am almost able to move my arm again. They also attempted to draw my 3 vials of blood for my titers, but the nurse claimed I was too dehydrated b/c no blood came out. More like she missed the vein. So I pumped fluids all weekend and today, I went back to get it done again, waited an hour and a half (gotta love college health centers), only to be told that my veins are "too small". So now they're sending me to some outside lab to get it done, so that'll be my fun Wednesday morning. Yippee! As much as I hate needles, I just keep reminding myself that I am lucky enough to be allowed to go to San Luis Obispo for my two-week clinical in August, and that I have to do this in order to go. Hopefully the motivation doesn't wear off!
On a lighter note, the Target Super Center opened right by our apartment, which is oh-so-dangerous. The red bullseye shines bright like a beacon on the hill! :) When we were driving home late Tuesday night, smelling lovely from Anatomy lab, I noticed a giant balloon arch outside the doors and tons of cars. So we turned around and went to see what was going on. Turns out they had a sneak-peek opening that night and there was cake and veggie/fruit/cheese platters at every corner of the store. They were also giving out Archer Farms samples and they had balloon animals and storytime for the kids. The Target dog was there too to take pictures with, but alas, I didn't have my camera. I must say, it was so exciting going in there with EVERY shelf fully stocked, everything smelling brand new, the carpet still squishy, shiny new carts complete with Starbucks cup holders, and a team member ready to help at every aisle. It was like an early Christmas! We also went back on Sunday for the official opening, but there wasn't anything special going on. The Wendy's also opened and we got celebratory Frosty's (which are no longer 99 cents), and today we found out that El Pollo Loco is going in that shopping center too. And on our way to Kohl's Easter sale yesterday, there was this lovely building that was so kind to put my name up in lights. So thoughtful!
I can't believe it's March already. Bigger yet, I can't believe that I'm already over half-way through the first term! I knew this would go by fast, but it's kind of scary. I'm excited for Easter and spring, and I've been spoiling myself with some flowers for in my bathroom, especially while my favorite flowers, tulips, are available. So here's a picture of my pretty flowers that make me smile every time I see them. The color in the picture doesn't do them justice...they're a beautiful shade of deep, rich magenta. Love them!
It started off with a test in Clinical Skills on Monday, which I am VERY proud to say I got 100% on. As exciting as that score is, it's even more impressive when there are people in the class who didn't even pass the test...boo-yah! Our presentations on Tuesday for Seminar ended up being postponed to "sometime before the end of the term"...nice to know the director does have a heart after all! Wednesday I turned in my take-home midterm for Professional Relationships. Thursday marked another gruesome Anatomy quiz, which I hope I did well on. Friday was the ever-important Anatomy practical, which I thought I did decent on, but then as people started talking about it, I'm less sure of my success on it. I guess I'll find out this Friday. Friday I also got my physical done and my tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis (TDAP) shot. I am almost able to move my arm again. They also attempted to draw my 3 vials of blood for my titers, but the nurse claimed I was too dehydrated b/c no blood came out. More like she missed the vein. So I pumped fluids all weekend and today, I went back to get it done again, waited an hour and a half (gotta love college health centers), only to be told that my veins are "too small". So now they're sending me to some outside lab to get it done, so that'll be my fun Wednesday morning. Yippee! As much as I hate needles, I just keep reminding myself that I am lucky enough to be allowed to go to San Luis Obispo for my two-week clinical in August, and that I have to do this in order to go. Hopefully the motivation doesn't wear off!
On a lighter note, the Target Super Center opened right by our apartment, which is oh-so-dangerous. The red bullseye shines bright like a beacon on the hill! :) When we were driving home late Tuesday night, smelling lovely from Anatomy lab, I noticed a giant balloon arch outside the doors and tons of cars. So we turned around and went to see what was going on. Turns out they had a sneak-peek opening that night and there was cake and veggie/fruit/cheese platters at every corner of the store. They were also giving out Archer Farms samples and they had balloon animals and storytime for the kids. The Target dog was there too to take pictures with, but alas, I didn't have my camera. I must say, it was so exciting going in there with EVERY shelf fully stocked, everything smelling brand new, the carpet still squishy, shiny new carts complete with Starbucks cup holders, and a team member ready to help at every aisle. It was like an early Christmas! We also went back on Sunday for the official opening, but there wasn't anything special going on. The Wendy's also opened and we got celebratory Frosty's (which are no longer 99 cents), and today we found out that El Pollo Loco is going in that shopping center too. And on our way to Kohl's Easter sale yesterday, there was this lovely building that was so kind to put my name up in lights. So thoughtful!
I can't believe it's March already. Bigger yet, I can't believe that I'm already over half-way through the first term! I knew this would go by fast, but it's kind of scary. I'm excited for Easter and spring, and I've been spoiling myself with some flowers for in my bathroom, especially while my favorite flowers, tulips, are available. So here's a picture of my pretty flowers that make me smile every time I see them. The color in the picture doesn't do them justice...they're a beautiful shade of deep, rich magenta. Love them!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
weeks 3-4
So it's been kind of hectic lately, with pretty much non-stop studying. We've had an anatomy quiz every week and two midterms (1 in clinical skills and 1 in seminar). I'm starting to get a little frustrated b/c there's SO much information in anatomy and no matter what study tactic I use, the information is not sticking as well as I would like. So I'm talking to our professor on Monday to try to figure out a better way to make this work. Yesterday, Marilee and I did "check-offs" for clinical skills, where we demonstrated palpation and muscle testing techniques that we've learned so far, and we got signed off on all of them. YAY! We're going to have to do this pretty much every week til the end of the term, but it's helpful for when we have to do all of them at the final.
Let me tell you, it's study central around here. I've never studied so hard in my life, and I'm becoming mentally exhausted. I've got to suck it up though, b/c this week we have something every day. There's a clinical skills midterm Monday, a seminar presentation on Tuesday, a professional relationships midterm on Wednesday, an anatomy quiz on Thursday, and an anatomy lab practical on Friday. There will be some celebrating on Friday that's for sure (or a lot of sleeping)! I have to get my physical/titers/shots done on Friday afternoon too, which I'm REALLY looking forward to...NOT! The cadavers are getting smellier by the day, but we've got some cool stuff on Harley that they're planning on using as questions on the practical. We are going into the lab today for 3-4 hours to study for the practical b/c there will be questions on all of the cadavers. And then it's back to more studying. I am looking forward to my week off in April SO much! I'm almost at the half-way mark, thank goodness! Anyway, time to get to work. Happy March everyone!
Let me tell you, it's study central around here. I've never studied so hard in my life, and I'm becoming mentally exhausted. I've got to suck it up though, b/c this week we have something every day. There's a clinical skills midterm Monday, a seminar presentation on Tuesday, a professional relationships midterm on Wednesday, an anatomy quiz on Thursday, and an anatomy lab practical on Friday. There will be some celebrating on Friday that's for sure (or a lot of sleeping)! I have to get my physical/titers/shots done on Friday afternoon too, which I'm REALLY looking forward to...NOT! The cadavers are getting smellier by the day, but we've got some cool stuff on Harley that they're planning on using as questions on the practical. We are going into the lab today for 3-4 hours to study for the practical b/c there will be questions on all of the cadavers. And then it's back to more studying. I am looking forward to my week off in April SO much! I'm almost at the half-way mark, thank goodness! Anyway, time to get to work. Happy March everyone!
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