Archive for October, 2009
A day in the life…
….of a med student studying for an exam.
Unit two is on Tuesday! How exams work here at Upstate usually involve 2 days of pure test-taking hell. Three of our for classes contribute questions to one big written test. There are two questions per 60ish minute lecture. Each lecture thoroughly examines a topic, and we are expected to know every last detail. Essentially you can study for hours, and if you miss that one sentence where the answer to the questions is discussed, you’re screwed. Thus you read and read and read, trying to get every last fact into your head. Next after getting your butt kicked on paper, you have the following day’s practical exam to look forward to. This is where the professors tag organs, blood vessels, nerves and whatever else they so desire, and we are given a minute to figure out what the heck they are looking for. We stand in the lab in front of our body or whatever bits and pieces are in front of us, look (but not touch), and 60 seconds later the buzzer goes off. Everyone scrambles to the next station and “look, write, and repeat” 60 times. And no, they’re not tagging simple things like the pancreas or the small intestine, but instead they want you to write something like Hepatopancreatic Ampulla or Suspensory ligament of the duodenum. I know you’re jealous 
The week before the exam is crazy. Non stop studying, endless review lectures and little to no sleep, healthy food, or excercise. But hey, that what does not kill you only makes you stronger right? As stressful and has difficult as this whole test will be, it’s nothing compared to intern year and residency. Thus, we suck it up and just do it. We study, we study and we study.
I thought it would be interesting to photo-document a typical exam mode day and my attempts at maintaining somewhat of a healthy lifestyle. The whole process didn’t turn out quite as well as I wanted. All the pics were taken on my iphone (I thought it would be awkward to use flash photography during class), so the quality is not top notch. Also, in the process of trying to get through some lectures, I also forgot to snap some photos here and there.
Anyway, I started off my day this morning with an 8:40 anatomy review and a strawberry oikos yogurt with granola. After an hour of all kinds of pelvic fun, it was time for our practice practical. It’s the same as the real practical, just 20 less problems and it’s not graded. unfortunately, no camera’s allowed, so no pictures.
Got to love Bear Naked Granola
Mmm…Breakfast
Between the practice practical and the molecular and cellular principles review, I grabbed some lunch and went over flash cards with one of the other Sarahs. I had a whole wheat Arnold’s sandwich thin with Barney Butter (almond butter) and strawberry jam.
Tater tots! Splurge #1 of the day
Had a pear for dessert (one of the things I forgot to get the camera out for)
Back to class for review
Hour 1.5: Snack time. Kaishi crackers 100 cal snack pack
Hour 2.5: had a Lemon Larabar. This was my first time trying this flavor, and I have to say, its one of my favorites!
Hour 3.5: Tara’s face says is it all. “Holy Crap there’s alot to know!”
Where I spent the first half of my friday night….the library
Splurge #2: Bruegger’s! Had an everything bagel with Tosacana chicken salad and a GIANT diet coke.
Num num num
After another three hours of studying, Anna, Andrea and I headed over to the anatomy lab. Our ID badges give us 24 hour access to the cadaver room which is super helpful. We practiced identifying a little bit of everything, but called it a night after 2 hours of working our way through the dissector. I’ve gone into the lab before during off hours but never with only 2 other people. Usually there are 100+ people filling up the lab, so as you can imagine, being in a room at night with more cadavers then people was a little creepy.
So that was my day. Probably not my most exciting post ever, but blogging was an excellent study break. Back to the books I go!
Back in the saddle again
Hello Hello! As I was sitting in my usual study space and looking around at all my text books, notes, and flashcards last night, I came to a realization. It’s been way too long since I took the time to update my blog. After over a month of living in my med school bubble, I thought it was about time to write something about this whole experience. It’s been a crazy 6-ish weeks, and I’ve never been so busy. Soooo much has happened. Tara and Derek got married! 
I started school, had my first exam, and saw my first patients. To catch everyone up to speed, I’m going to give a cliff notes version of my life since the last post.
Healthy Living Summit
Back in August, I had the opportunity to attend the Healthy Living Summit in Boston. It was a fantastic experience. I met some amazing ladies, ate fantastic food, and learned so much about organic farming and leading a healthy life. Here’s a few highlights:
Michele and I at the Healthy Living Summit cocktail party
Some of the delicious food served.
Summit organizers
Lunch!
Got to love the swag! Three bags, two spatulas, an apron, Amazing Grass shaker, coupons and so many samples of delicious, healthy foods.
The rest of my return trip to Boston…
Although I spent a little extra time in Boston for the summit, one of the main reasons I was back in town was to see the roomies. I love living by myself, but holy moly I miss those girls! Saturday night we went out to the Rattlesnake Bar and Grill for a late dinner and a few drinks.
Renate and I practicing the “blow bubbles and look at the horizon” look that is supposed to make everyone look amazing in pictures. I’m thinking not so much
Michele looking adorable with our tasty sangria.
Duck tacos…AMAZING!
I love me some Sangria!
Tara and Derek’s Wedding
One of the best parts about my three years in Boston was meeting Tara. After spending more time with her than any other person ever (3 years x at least 40 hour a week (not counting our shopping, gymming, tripping to Europe and dog showing excursions) x 50ish weeks a year), I was able to be there for one of the most important days of her life…the wedding. From the proposal in Barcelona to the running of the brides at Filene’s, I’ve made some awesome wedding related memories with Tara. In fact, some of my best memories in Boston involve Tara and Derek, and I’m so happy that I got to share the day with them. Tara and Derek did an amazing job planning the wedding. As you can see from the pictures, it was absolutely incredible. Everything from the bridemaids dresses to the place settings were absolutely perfect. They both looked amazing, and Tara’s dress was gorgeous. And the food…oh my god the food was DELICIOUS! We ate, we drank and we danced (Tara and I even got to bust out some of our Zumba moves). All and all, it was a wonderful evening full of friends, family, food and I’m so happy I was there. I love you guys!
Outside the reception…so pretty
Beautiful view
Where it all went down
Derek looking all handsome just before the ceremony started
Tara and her Dad. She looked so beautiful. Michele and I were both a mess. Thank god for sunglasses.
The happy MARRIED couple
I had the hottest date to the wedding
The reception
The cake
My place setting
The menu…num num
Mmmm….bread stick
I was a little unsure about the toasted almond and pistachio soup, but it was maybe one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted
Salad with a yogurt and mint dressing
Wild mushroom ravioli with spinach and artichoke cream sauce
It’s times likes these I’m glad I’m no longer a vegetarian. Roasted rosemary chicken.
MED SCHOOL
And this brings us to Syracuse. After an amazing time in Boston and Western Mass, Michele and I headed to central NY to enjoy my last few days of freedom before school started up. I introduced Michele to some of the finest things central New York has to offer, Wegman’s and Dinasouar BBQ. Orientation started up a few days later. The experience was completely exhausting, but I met alot of my new classmates and got a good feel for what I was getting myself into. Fast forward 6 weeks later, and I’ve survived my first exam, seen real patients, spent countless h0urs in the anatomy lab and met some great people. Although I spend the majority of my time studying, I have had some time to relax. I even went to the state fair for the first time ever. Let’s just say the wine village and I got along very well. Some friends and I also made it to both the Irish Festival and the Italian Festival which were both a pretty good time. I can officially say, I’m settling into my new life. I haven’t been as good about photo-documenting Syracuse life, but here are a few highlights.
My parents and I at the White Coat Ceremony
How my nights generally look…and yes, there’s usually some pirates booty involved
Perfect example of the “relaxation time” I mentioned. This night took place mid way through orientation. I think there was 4 of us drinking… Like I said, orientation was rough
Yay new friends! Andrea, Erica and I out at PJ’s
My new friend Tara and I had a chance to tour the new Gulisano Children’s Hospital that opened at Upstate. Very cool view from up top.
Interior shot
Another exterior shot
My new apartment
One of my favorite parts of the apartment is this book case. You’ll also notice my fern who isn’t doing so well.
Even though I’m spending a ton of my time studying, I’m trying to stay/get back into shape. Here’s the new treadmill that’s helping me do so!
Fans, iPod hookup, and handle bar controls. LOVE it!
So that’s the past six weeks of my life. If you’re still with me, thanks for reading! I promise I’ll be better about updating the blog in the future:)
