Winter Break

Winter once again is in full force. We have had a couple of absolutely beautiful storms that have left the trees covered in inches of fluffy white snow. We had a White Christmas for the first time in many years, which always feels magical. I was really excited to be able to hang out with my brother and sister and my sisters boyfriend over my break from school. I feel like I never see them, and it was wonderful to catch up.

I have to say that I've really enjoyed my time away from the PA program. It was the most stressful semester yet, and there were times when I wasn't sure I would make it through, but by Gods grace, and by my husbands patience I seem to have made it through (and with better grades then expected).

Normally holidays bring their own kind of stress, but after all the stress of school, preparing for the holidays didn’t feel the least bit stressful. Decorating a tree, making holiday cookies, even shopping was enjoyable. I am really blessed to have had time with my family, and with Morgan’s family. This break was exactly what I needed. Now that I’m back in school I think the stress will return eventually, but with luck it won’t be the same level because the end is in sight. If I can make it through April then I will be done with the academics, and on to my clinical rotations which is what I’m really looking forward to. 2008 seems like it will be an interesting year to say the least.

Pet Diary

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY:

8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

9:30 am - OH BOY! A TOY! MY FAVORITE!

9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!

10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!

11:30 am - OH BOY! A TOY! MY FAVORITE!

12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE CAT! MY FAVORITE!

1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!

1:30 pm - ooooooo, bath. Bummer.

4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE CAT! MY FAVORITE!

5:00 PM - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!

5:30 PM - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!



EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan.

DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid? My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer." More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

A few of my favorite things...

Sometimes I need to brighten my day by thinking about things that make me smile.

Spinning Silhouette Illusion

This is amazing, you have to check it out. It took me a minute staring at the figure before she changed direction, but it's very cool when it happens.

At first glance, the silhouette is spinning clockwise, but you can reverse the spinning.

Here are some hints to help make it happen:

Try looking down at the shadow, keep your eyes there for some seconds and then slowly move your eyes upward.
Try looking at different parts of the figure. Dont stare at her, keep your eyes moving up and down.
Or Focus on her feet, when she turns clockwise she has the right foot up.. when counter-clockwise its the left foot.. just tell yourself which foot is up and she will turn in that direction..

Rainy Day

It’s a beautiful rainy day, and I got to spend some time relaxing and enjoying a walk with Zoe. Everything is covered in tiny droplets from the rain, and even though the sky is gray the droplets sparkle. I have to say that having a week off school has been just what I needed. I also believe that my sanity is returning slowly which is fitting considering today is World Mental Health Day. I’m still putting in 3-4 hours a day of school work to get done the assignments due right after break as well as to prepare for midterm week which will start bright and early Monday morning, but for right now…. things are good.

Pharmacology Sucks!

This is day 8 of studying for the pharmacology exam, and I have to say that I have never hated a subject more. Who comes up with these names? I mean really there are only 5 vowels in the alphabet, 6 if you include Y, and in the English language they're really not suppose to string that many together. Like “Iododeoxyuridine” whose brilliant idea was that? It's like I'm speaking polish or something! I've got more then 300 flash cards, and I actually know everything on them, which seems like it should be enough to get me through this exam, and yet... many have come before me, and many have failed. Not just failed to do well on one exam, failed the entire course. Even if I feel like I know what I'm doing now, apparently that has no correlation to how well you do in the course (according to last years class). So what can I do? I’m beating my brains to the point of physical symptoms…. I get a stress headache almost immediately after I start studying. It’s like the stress headache is just part of the program, everyone I’ve talked to has one perpetually and it’s all because of the stupid, irritating, exasperating, frustrating, tiring, maddening, inconsistent, ‘learn things you can look up in a book and never have to know in real life’ PA program. This is just ridiculous; I give up, no more pharmacology.

Rant over.

Back to School

Two weeks of amazing freedom, and fantastic vacation adventures have come to an end. In eight hours it's back to school... sigh. On the bright side only 17 weeks until Christmas break.... but who's counting?