Onwards

Well I haven't written one of these for a while. Mainly because there hasn't been a whole lot of new things going on that I could write about. I am into cardiology now, we're working on the beginning of everything, heart physiology and all. Biggest news is that I am now certified to read and understand STEMIs and other mimics of MIs. We have our first test coming up this next monday, and supposedly cardiology is going to be the hardest class we do. Although right now it doesn't seem that hard so far, but I don't know. Final grades aren't up yet from Endocrine class, but it appears that I squeaked by with the hairs of my chinny chin chin. Hubble is about as fiesty as ever. Especially when I indulge him with the 2-handed attacks. He never can win but he likes to try I think. Kristen might not like it but I think it's rather fun because I get to leave. On a brighter note Utah won the football game 24-21. As usual we came out and pulled way ahead and then let them come back. They made a 4th and 22 with 20-30 secs left, the managed something like a 50-60 yard pass and then set up for a 50 yard field goal. They missed, the utah fans got penalized for rushing the field before the play was over. Next they had a 37 yard field goal, and that bounced off the uprights. Thou Shalt NOT PASS!!!! Said Gandolf. And so we won Last big thing that has happened recently is that we have a new computer finally. A nice 15" VAIO that is pretty thin. The only sad thing is that it's actually longer than I wanted it to be. I forgot that they added a number pad on the side. DISLIKE, other than that it's pretty nice. It has a HD screen and blue-ray disc. Kristen pushed for it to be ours-hers(her words not mine) but she's been busy at the pool this last week doing stuff. So I've been able to sneak away with it several times. Don't know how long that will last before she reasserts the fact that the computer is indeed hers, but until then it's nice to have. Having the nice screen helps with a lot of things. Well I'm in the middle of class right now and they are actually pretty good for once. He's actually doing a really well job in the clinical application for HTN. Anyways's I'm signing off for now since that's about it for now

OMS II

Back from Utah and Texas with all the craziness that they both entail. Just a heads up Hubble is huge. Guess that the dewormer is working because in the last 2 weeks, it seems that he has double in size it seems like. As well as getting super frisky. He no longer sleeps in my lap it seems after he goes and runs around everywhere. Sam finally got married, although if you are reading this, you probably went to it since ... yeah, if you read this and you aren't related to me with a double X chromosome let me know, I think that would be interesting. Andi's wedding was long but fun, he had a good time and didn't do too badly, although his wife can be a bit ... how should I say this: My way or the highway attitude. Reminds me of someone ;) Sam actually went to riodizio's with Seth last friday night and they didn't even invite me, and I was 15 miles away. So so so so stupid. I have degraded Sam's wedding present from something nice to titanium sporks. First day of class and so far I think I'm about caught up! I know first day and I'm rolling. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up until the end, with a test this monday, yes I know so soon, I don't want to get behind. Currently studying the endocrine system starting with the hypothalamus and pituitary areas. They've actually mixed things up a bit here, with a lot of pre-recorded lectures and independent study time. They are encouraging us to lynch, email, or call the professors for help as well as use the online boards. So anyway back in Utah, I went and visited Matt and his house for a bit. They got into MTG(Magic the Gathering). It reminded me of the fun that you get when you're single, have hobbies etc etc etc. I want to have hobbies too but we're super poor and anyway I don't have anyone to do hobbies with at the moment. Somehow I think that Kristen isn't the most interested in modeling or cards or anything like that. So I will wait and watch for my time till I get to the point that I unleash the full fury of my intelligence... I mean something else but oh well. Well class is over for the moment so I'll sign off now Zac

Kitty

It's been almost a month, but I honestly don't feel bad since it's vacation basically and I've been doing nothing but taking care of Hubble. Well not exactly nothing since I've been the one cleaning and cooking now that I am home all day and Kristen suddenly decided that she needed to work 30-40 hours a week. Which actually is really good right now since we have 26.98 in the bank before we went to go see The Amazing Spider-Man tonight. So yeah we're actually even poorer. But no fear, she is putting in a paycheck tomorrow so hopefully we'll make it to the start of the school year where we'll get my next installment from my student loans. Anyway my life these days revolves around taking care of the kitten which as Sara can attest young care is a full time job. He's so needy he should be a she. I play D3 and LoL as well. That's about it. When Kristen is home she watches TV. She's been on an Olympic match spree as well as the usual sit coms etc etc etc. We've been trying to do social things like ward activities and going out to see movies and the occasional dinner with friends etc etc. We have gotten to go out with another medical student and his wife several times. It's funny that even though there are plenty of other medical students that are LDS the people we hang out with the most aren't particularly religious. Anyway we're all set to come down and see Sam during his wedding. Funny how less than a year ago it was Kristen and I and now I've done a year of medical school and have been married for over 6 months. This is Hubble in Kristen's hair after a bath. This is Hubble's first night here still so little trying to eat some soft(ish) food Hubble getting soft store bought cat food and obviously still trying to learn how to eat it correctly This last one is just him and I

1 Year Done

Finally drawing to a close, at least for now. It was a bad weekend/week as Kristen watched me slowly go crazy until they posted final grades out for this last test. But all is well in Lebanon for now. Still getting ready to get ready for OMM rehabilitation so to speak. We'll see how that goes. Other news from Oregon, we lost our last game of soccer so basically we went 0-8 I think. But we were close some of the times, if our guys could learn to play a little more coop and less FIFA2012. I'm glad to have gone to the keeper position so at least now I always get some action. My group at the medical school have all gone their separate ways and so it's pretty lonely over here. I go to the school occasionally because I can and what else do I do really? Yeah we'll see. I do get some sun every now and then. On the high note bought Diablo 3 yes I know bad games so inappropriate. But at least Kristen said I had to wait till after school was done. It is done so I have it now. I play with friends I have. And Jacob, I've seen him on once or twice. Anywho not much more going on I think. I'll let you guys get back to what ever you guys are doing.

Looking Back

One weekend away from completing the first year of medical school. Would I have done this if I had know beforehand the amount of time and how different, as well as what I would have to lose and change in my life. Probably but I wish that I had know this before I came here. The learning curve was steep indeed. I might even have gone on to do a masters in anesthesiology or maybe even a Ph.D before applying to medical school. Lived life for a few years before getting everything ripped away. On the other hand if I hadn't gotten married in December, probably never would have gotten married in school, because let's face it, I have no time. I might steal time from other things but there is never enough time to do everything. And let's face it there are no LDS girls up here either

Don't trip at the finish line

Well about 3 weeks after my last post I get back again. I know most of you reading this probably don't know too too much about my history, but once again these 3 weeks have taught me one thing. I will not be a psychiatrist. Sorry Dr. Thomas it's a no go. Unless I did really really horrible on my OSCE last week I should be fine in this class. I did under average(again) but well enough to not worry too badly. I hate behavior medicine stuff. Coming out of it, they said we had 17 questions by the crazy guy who cannot teach worth a dikins and asks questions that you cannot understand what he wants. Needless to say I studied his things for hours, as well as the drugs/pharmocology, but there were only 5 questions from Dr. Martin and the pharm was about the most horrible thing you can imagine. Think of studying all these drugs and knowing the drugs and then they go in saying the patient has a prescription(not naming it) and has a side effect. In a drug could you also give, what is the 2nd drugs side effect. Yeah you already have a hard time figuring out the first drug, harder remembering what the side effects are. Going from there, you're snowballing. Basically you see a bunch of different possible side effects and are like, well I recognize this one so I'm going with that. Love medical school, I just love it. I guess I could study another 15 hours a week(it's theoretically possible) but I just cannot see the use for that, although Kristen might disagree. For those of you out there looking for a new video game, even though none of you are since only Kristen, Sarah, and maybe Sara read this, I would suggest league of legend, look me up madphysics ;) Um 3 more weeks of school and a 3 day holiday coming up. Kristen has been hinting rather strongly about doing something outside this weekend for memorial day. Anyway you go girls!

He Lives!

Almost a month later, sicknesses, tests, classes, it's been an uphill road. Passed Neuro I found out late last night, and am I glad. Neurology is supposed to be the hardest class. As of now, we still have 2 more classes plus plenty of minor details to wrap up in ECM and other classes etc, but the worst is behind me. I'm actually just sitting here in behavior medicine and psych listening about physical and psychological dependence, and it is boring as heck... if that is a correct way of saying something. So about these last few tests I've had. About half the class has failed each one, as usual they lied to us saying after the first test things get easier, 2nd test was harder than the first(which I passed the 2nd one that is), and then the last test we just had Monday. The 3rd test was supposed to be a piece of cake and I got in there and was like ???? WHAT? So maybe I'm just getting better with educated test guessing. It was so bad, let's just say we went to the equivalent of Denny's up here and about half our group order alcohol, and it wasn't even 12 yet. I went home got in the shower and curled up in the fetal position for about 30 minutes. It was a wonderful test taking time for me. Another note you guys all know Sam is getting married, go Sam. Wonder what Jinaquinn is thinking??? Is she that desperate? Love you Sam. Soccer is going with the new season, and we're still sucking it up hard core. But it's fun to get out and play every week, I think it's worth the $45 to play since it seem impossible for ppl to just go out and play for free. On another note just about 5-6 weeks of school are left in my first semester of medical school. How crazy is that. Thinking back on all the things I know now, and all the things I've forgotten it's crazy. 10 months of getting information beat into my head, and some of it has stuck, some of it hasn't. Still getting over the throat virus, I'm not even coughing that much anymore, but definitely have a sore throat, although it might just be from coughing so much, and having to heal. I am getting better. Kristen on the other hand is depressed that she is still sick. She feels like that she's been sick for the past month and is never going to get better. On top of that there is no sun right now. No bright lights, and it's kind of chilly. The worst part of this new class is that I have to go to an AA/NA meeting alone and endure and go along with everything. Apparently small communities don't really enjoy 100+ students suddenly invading their substance abuse programs, but oh well. I came, I studied, I went to AA/NA meetings. Well that is about the whole of my life. OH one more thing girls, since I doubt any guys read this. If you're still into fruit smoothie making, buy a cranberry drink concentrate and put 1/4 to 1/3 into the smoothie. It makes everything so much nicer I've found out. Zac's helpful hint #284.1b Peace