Me graduating

 Ok, since I posted a little while back that I graduated, here is the mandatory picture. I am looking down at the photographer in the first picture, so I look a little fat. I have no excuse for the way I look in the others.  He he he.  Now that I am done with school I have been working out every night, with the exception of three days for Christmas, and I am hoping to drop a few pounds in the next month or so.  My goal is 10 pounds, but I'm doing a 90 day program so I am interested to see what happens with that. I know I'll lose the fat and add on muscle, so the "10 pounds" goal will be more like "fit into my old jeans" goal.  Looking forward to it!

Test post

Sweet! I just sent a blog post from my phone!  Maybe now I'll post more.....  maybe.  :o)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Hope the holiday season treated everyone nicely.  We went up to Brad’s folks for xmas and came home Monday afternoon.  We had a fun time pigging out and playing lots of games. We haven’t been up there since the wedding, so it was nice to see everybody again.  The kids made out like bandits and had a good time with each other. 

I thought I would post a couple gifts that I got for my birthday/graduation from Brad.  He got me some very pretty flowers in my school colors – yellow and black.  I am keeping them at work because they look really good up on my shelf and since I work at the university they are perfect (and I don’t have a great place for them at home right now.) They are yellow roses with wheat that has been painted black - our mascot is a Wheat Shocker named Wu Shock. 

He also gave me a gorgeous ring with blue, purple and pink stones in it.  The picture is a little fuzzy because I took it with my phone. I love it - even though I told him not to get me anything.  The sweetheart.  :o)

Holiday Party

Last Friday Brad, Bo and I attended a holiday party hosted by the company for whom Brad works.  The party was held at a hotel in a town about three hours from our house, so we got a room at the hotel.  I left work early and picked up Bo and drove out to meet Brad and attend the party.  It was a lovely night.  We arrived and I was introduced to all the people Brad works with and their families.  We chatted for a bit and then the wine/ale tasting began.  Yum!  I started with the ale tasting.  They had two ale’s there from Big Sky brewery out of Missoula, Montana!  Trout Slayer and Moose Drool!  I was pretty excited to learn that I can find it here in Kansas, so now I have to stock up!  I also tried a brand that is made here in Manhattan, Kansas, called Buffalo Sweat.  It has a coffee flavor to it and is pretty light tasting for a dark ale.  I actually thought it was a little bit better than Moose Drool.

After the ale tasting, I went for the wine tasting.  Pinot Grigio from Barefoot, another white wine that I can’t think of, a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon.  My favorite red wine is a Pinot Noir, but I have to say that the cab sauv, was really tasty.   I keep telling myself that I need to get a wine diary and keep track of all the wines that I taste, I just haven’t done it yet – but I really need to.  We ate and visited for a bit and after everyone headed home Brad and I sat and watched Bo swim for a couple hours.  It didn’t take any of us long to fall asleep that night! 

Saturday we drove home and then Sunday we did our Xmas shopping.  It took us three hours to do and we only had to make two stops!   We wrapped everything up and then watched a movie.  I have to say that this weekend flew by!

At work today we had a staff meeting and I was asked to come to the front of the room to be honored for graduating.  I received a sterling silver jewelry box with the school seal on the lid and two bracelets with the school mascot imprinted on a heart shaped charm.  Then I was asked to explain the process I am currently going through with med school and volunteering and shadowing.  So I explained that I am waiting for an interview, hoping to shadow a few more dr.’s now that I have more time on my hands and volunteering at a hospice.  I was told that I only turned a little red while I was up in front of the whole group, so that made me feel a little better.  :o)  The really good thing that came out of me telling everyone my progress, is I have a few people that can hook me up with some shadowing opportunities.  Sweet!

I’m finished! For now….

Well, it’s been a long, but quick, semester.  I finished my classes on the 9^th, graduated on the 12^th and took my last final on the 14^th.  I didn’t do too shabby – B in genetics and an A- in English.  I’ll take it.  :o)  I was starting to really sweat a little bit there in the end of my genetics class.  I was pulling up my exam scores, but was afraid that I would end up with a C praying for a B-, so to get a B pretty much makes me want to do a little happy dance.  Ok, so I really did do a happy dance, when no one was looking of course.

As I said above, I graduated on the 12^th and I walked.  I will post pics when I get them in.  My honey, his parents and Bo were all there to cheer me on.  I have to say it was quite the feeling to know that I was done.  It didn’t really sink in until the 14^th when I put the period on the last sentence of the last final (it was an essay final) as an undergraduate student. I had a huge smile on my face as I handed in my paper.  It was amazing.  I then when home and watched a movie!  How great is that!  I am also excited to start up my P90X workout regimen this week.  This is probably really bad timing since I won’t be home this weekend and will be pigging out on good food and desserts.  I am going to force myself to wake up at 6am to do cardio before work, come home at night and do the P90X workout of the day, then workout with the hubby on the weekends at the gym.  I need to do more cardio to help burn off the fat and this is the only way I can think of adding more in. I really wish I was a morning person, it would make getting up earlier much easier! I figure I should be used to waking up at 6am for school and shouldn’t be too big of a problem, so I need to keep telling myself that I can do it.

Here are the flowers that my honey got me at graduation… they smelled so good!  He does a good job picking out flowers, or maybe I’m biased.  :o)

Dirty Words!

Dirty words - I didn’t do as well as I thought I did on my genetics exam.  I’m kinda bummed about it - dirty words!  I made an appointment to talk with my professor to look over my exam and talk to her about strategies.  I understand the material, so I think I am just having a problem understanding what the question is asking.  I remember having to reread one of the questions a few times before I understood what it was saying.  Guess I’ll find out for sure in a couple of days.   I only have two more tests to do well on and then I’m done!  I’m still clinging to a B right now – and I’ll take it! But I need to kick it up a bit. 

I know it’s so boring that this is my life right now, but I will be done in a month and then it will be about working out, video games and crocheting.  :o) I’m not going to know what to do with all the free time I’ll have.  I feel like that guy on the Twilight Zone episode where all he wants to do is read books, but never has time.  Then there is a nuclear war and he is the only survivor and has all the time in the world to read, and as he is celebrating his newly found free time, his glasses break.  The show ends with him crying “It’s not fair. There was time.”   But for me, I really will have time! So much time! :o)

This weekend was pretty good.  We didn’t do much really, but we got a few things done around the house. 

-          Friday we had family pictures taken.  Yay!  We’ve been meaning to do this for awhile now, but never follow through with it.  The bank was doing a free family photo and we decided we couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

-          I spent most of Saturday trying to get a virus off my laptop, did some running around/errands, Brad made some kick-ass chili and we went to the gym.  

-          We have a Sunday ritual where we cook breakfast in the morning.  Brad makes hash browns, scrambled eggs and bacon or sausage and I make pancakes or French toast. It is a fun little thing we do.  I finally put away my summer clothes and dug out my winter clothes.  It’s kinda like shopping without spending money.  We went through and reorganized all of our movies and put a TV stand in Bo’s room because we got rid of the big one that was in there.  His room is no longer a disaster zone.  Brad and I finished the weekend out by watching “The Green Mile” and I, of course, cried like a little baby.  Such a great movie but so sad. 

The only bad thing is I didn’t do any reading or studying.  It was a nice little break, but that means I’ll have extra to do this week and weekend, as I have a test next Monday.  It’s possible that it may get pushed back to Wednesday, but I’m not sure how likely that will be.  I also have a paper due next Thursday and I’m not looking forward to writing it, but it will be my last paper ever - as an undergrad.  :o)  Yay!

And in case you are wondering where "dirty words" came from, my sister runs a daycare and since she can't curse in front of the kids, she says "dirty words."  I thought it was funny when I heard her say it that I thought I'd steal it for the title of my post.  Thanks Mule!

Ramblings

I just had to put up a few pics of the really pretty flowers my honey bought me this weekend.  He had the florist put them together for me while we did some shopping. What a sweetheart.  Did I mention that my husband is awesome?  :o)

I had my fourth test in genetics today, and I think I did ok.  It wasn't as hard as what the other test seemed, so I hope my feelings about the exam aren't way off.  I probably won't know anything till Friday or Monday though.  I think the strategy of reading the chapter first, then going back and taking notes is really working well.  It also helps a bunch that the professor follows the book and explains things really well.  When I read I follow the power point slides, which are really pictures from the book, and take note of the things she talks about in class.  I wish all classes were like this!

I got my mid-term back for my English class last night and I got a B.  Not bad, but it's kinda hard to figure out what to do to get a better grade when the grade is mostly on how the professor feels like grading it.  He can be pretty picky about things, but I am not going to complain too much as I'm doing better than 95% of the class.   

I can't believe that I only have a month left of school.  I am going to be so happy to be done, but I'm going to feel like I forgot to do something.  ha ha  I have been thinking that I would like to talk about the app cycle and MCAT studying and all there is to the process of applying to medical school, but I kinda want to see how this year's app cycle goes first.  I do welcome any questions, though.  :o)

Ignoring my readers....

I know, I know... I deserve a good butt chewing.  It has been quite awhile since I last posted and I apologize.  I have been pretty busy with this semester's schedule and when I do think about posting I am at work and get busy.  So,  I apologize.

I have been doing ok in genetics.  I think I finally figured out how to prepare for the tests - read each question and each answer thoroughly.  Yes this seems like a common sense idea, but there are trick questions/answers on these tests, not to mention the
"the answer to this question is"
A) Blah blah blah
B) blah bleh blah
C) Blah blah bleh
D)A and B
E) A and C  type of questions.

These suck, because if you are unclear on one of the answer choices, then it makes it harder to eliminate the wrong answers. I am hoping I do as well, if not better than, my last test on Monday. I've been reading the chapters once without taking notes, then re-read the chapters taking notes.  I've found that this has helped prevent me from copying the text word for word and summarize the material in a more concise explanation.  I even find that I really like the material I am studying, which helps, but still frustrates me that I am not doing as well as I feel that I should.


English has been going well.  I've had to write two papers and did well on both of them.  I have a mini-midterm tonight and I am hoping I will do well on that too.  We select three questions to answer in a short essay format.  Not exactly fun, but shouldn't be too bad.

I started visiting a new patient with the Hospice I volunteer for.  The other two patients passed away the end of September.  I know they are in a better place and  I am happy for them both.  My new patient is very talkative and has so many interesting stories.  He even lived in Havre, MT for a short time so it's nice to talk about Montana with him.

I have submitted my application to KU and now I am patiently waiting for an interview invite.  They start handing them out the beginning of November through to February, so I may have a long wait ahead of me.  I wouldn't be surprised if I get an invite in January or so.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed! One of my friends I took organic chemistry with applied early decision and he found out last month that he was accepted.  I am so happy and excited for him!  It would be great if I get in this year too, then I would know at least one other person in my class.  He is super smart - the kind that doesn't have to study real hard to remember or get things.  I so wish I had that ability!  I have another friend who applied ED but didn't get in.  They will have another interview in November which will give them a chance to revise their application to be a stronger candidate.  I am hopeful for them - another really smart person right there. 

This year they are opening up 9 seats here in Wichita for the full 4 years.  I am pretty excited about this, and am hoping that when I get in I will be a good fit for this campus so I don't have to commute three hours to get home every weekend.  I think I fit their idea of a doctor - someone who wants to practice in a rural setting, has had other opportunities outside of school/medicine - I've had other careers, and know what I am getting myself into.  I know there is more to it than that, but this is a good start.

Classes

Well, classes start up in two days and I'm not sure I am ready yet!  This summer has been like a whirlwind and I don't feel very rested.  That or I have a case of senioritis since I am finally graduating in December.  Yay!

My class schedule is as follows - try to keep up.

Work schedule - 7:30 - 5:00

MWF - Genetics class during lunch
Tues - Genetics lab in the morning, won't get to work till 10 or so, depending on how long the lab lasts.
Tues & Thurs - Nature of Fiction (English Class) after work5:35 - 6:50
Thurs - Yoga class at 4:00, right before Eng class

This load shouldn't be too bad.  I'm sure I will have a lot of reading to do and I am hoping I won't have a lot of writing assignments, but I am not holding my breath.  I really enjoy creative writing, even though you wouldn't know it with my infrequent blog posts, I just don't want it to keep me from my genetics studying. I hear that course requires a lot of extra work, and I really want to get an A in it. Yes, I would be more than thrilled with a B+, or a B, but I could really use an A.

I am looking forward to seeing what this semester will bring - hopefully a medical school acceptance and two A's.  ;o)

Is this too much to ask for? 

Long Overdue Wedding Pics

Update

Ok, ok, I know that I have been neglecting you all again.

Well, since my last update I have learned my MCAT score and attended a 3 day rock festival. The end. :o)

MCAT
- Um let’s not talk about this ok? Really, I did about as well as I thought I would do and how my practice tests said I would do. It boiled down to not enough study time and lack of stamina. I forgot to grab my snack for the afternoon and I could feel myself dragging from the writing sample on to the biology section. It also reflects in that part of my scores as they were the lowest parts. I decided to take a gamble and apply anyway. The worst thing that could happen is they reject me and I have to retake in April and reapply next summer. I feel that this will tell me what to expect for next year and what other parts of my application are weak, giving me a year to strengthen it. I didn’t think I had much to lose at this point so I went for it.

Midwest Rockfest
- Brad, our friend M and I went to the three day rock festival held at Lake Afton a couple weeks ago. This was a total blast! There were quite a few local/no name bands, but some of the known bands included: Winger, Kix, Fuel, Drowning Pool, Buckcherry, Styx, and Twisted Sister. They all put on some kickass shows and sounded great. The last evening when Twisted Sister played it rained, so they had to cut down their playing time to avoid electrocution. Go figure. The first night we were there we met up with some pretty fun people and hung out with them for the rest of the weekend. There was lots of beer, sun and fun! We went to one last year, it was the first year they did it, and it was fun but not quite as fun as this years. I can’t even remember who played last year…. Maybe it was a better time than I think?
Here’s the lineup of last years rockfest– I had to look it up: Sweet Pauli Pain, Dirty Penny, Keel, Slaughter, KIX, Great White and Dokken.

MCAT and Wedding

Well, it’s been a rough month or so studying for the MCAT, but I finally took it last Thursday. I have no idea how I did and I have to wait an agonizingly long month before I find out. This. Sucks. I’m so jealous of the dental students who know their scores immediately. I’m not sure if I would like to find out sitting there at the testing center either though. Can you imagine the drama that would unfold? Highly stressed pre-meds staring at the image of a number on the computer screen - a number so important, it determines the fate of many pre-med lives. Should this number be deemed too low by the beholder, it will crush their soul into a fine powder – ‘poof’. Now, should this number be high, much rejoicing would be heard for miles around. News would spread like a wildfire to family, friends and naysayers. A triumph would be shared by many. All of these emotions happening in a little tiny room full of other test takers would certainly draw many dirty looks as concentrations would be ruined and hopes of good scores dashed or possibly invigorated. Maybe it’s a good thing we have to learn of our scores in the privacy of our own homes. That’s how I plan to look up my score anyhow. After work, sitting on my couch holding my breath until the dreaded number pops onto my screen and then I puke/pass out.

Now keep in mind that this is nothing compared to the tests that will be taken in medical school for licensing. If all pre-meds feel this way about the MCAT, how in the world are they going to handle the STEP exams? Scary thought huh? I have to admit that I am not too worried about my score. I’m sure I will be pretty nervous on July 20 when I log in to find out what it is, but it will be what it will be. I can’t change what is done. If I don’t get a high score I will retake next April and do the whole process over. My life will go on.

Now, for the fun stuff!

Wed – Brad’s best man, who lives in Montana, arrived in Hutch around 8:30pm. Brad didn’t get home till about 9 or so they went out to dinner. Bo and I already ate and Brad had to get the truck washed so they grabbed a bite. Funny thing was, it was our wedding anniversary, so Brad took his friend out to dinner on our anniversary. It was actually kinda funny. My dad and sister arrived in Wichita at 11:45 pm on Wednesday night – yes the night before my MCAT. I stayed home to “sleep” while Brad and his friend picked them up. They got home about 1 and I woke up to say hi and we all visited till about 2:30 and my sister I went to bed. The rest of the knuckle heads stayed up till after 4.

Thurs – Had to wake up before I really wanted to get out of bed to drop Brad’s truck off at the mechanics. Came home, fixed lunch and went to take test. Everyone else went to the Cosmosphere and did a little shopping. The test didn’t feel horrible, but it was still pretty rough. I took my time and really tried to reason through my answers compared to my practice exams. I am really hoping it went well enough so I don’t have to retake the damn thing. I got home around 7 and we sat around visiting and eating waiting for Brad’s friend, who was doing the cooking, to arrive. We had a few beers and chatted till about 3 in the morning. This was the first night I had a restful sleep that wasn’t filled with science and test questions.
Fri – We woke up rather late – it was so nice to sleep in! Then we got ready and packed and headed up north to Miltonvale where the wedding was being held. My other two sister’s and niece and nephew arrived in Miltonvale Thursday night and were waiting for us when we got there. It was so nice to see them! We arrived and chatted and had lunch just relaxing. Brad’s best man tried on his shirt and to our dismay, it did not fit. Why didn’t it fit? Well, the only size we could find in the style of shirt was an XL Tall, meaning it was really long and kinda wide. The groomsman (there was just one so it’s not really men he he) is smaller than Brad so we had to take in the shirt so he wouldn’t ‘swim’ in it. Well, Brad thought that we would have to do the same for the best man since they wore the same size. The only problem with that it is, it had been a few years since they last saw each other. So, needless to say we had to rush to town and find another shirt. Luckily we were able find a couple in the right sizes that worked. Still not sure how that happened! My bridesmaid arrived shortly afterwards and we went to the rehearsal and came back to eat. We decided to play a couple of songs in the wedding so we had to find them and download them. We decided on John Michael Montgomery’s “I can love you like that” for the wedding parties entrance, the traditional wedding march for me, “The Man I Want to be” by Chris Young while we poured our sand into our vase and the traditional march to end the ceremony. While we were finding music, the flowers were being put together by Brad’s mom and cousin, and wow! Did they turn out beautiful! After everything was done we sat around telling stories and having a lot of fun. We didn’t go to bed until after 4.

Sat – Woke up late again, showered and went over to get my makeup and hair done. Frantically ran around trying to gather up everything and went to church. Started putting on dress and realized we forgot the flowers. Brad rushed over to the house to get them and all was good. The ceremony was beautiful and quick with pictures afterwards. We all changed – it was so hot and humid! And then went over to the park for bbq and a friendly game of softball. Brad’s mom surprised us with a wedding cake so we got to cut the cake and rub it in each other’s faces. It was so fun! We got a few innings of softball in and a storm hit so we packed everything up and went back to the house for a couple of beers and some more conversation. It was a little calmer than the previous nights as a lot of people were leaving early Sun morning.

Sun – was sad because everyone had to leave. Dad and my sister stayed and came home to stay with me for the week, but it was sad to say goodbye to everyone else. It was a great weekend and I’m so glad that we decided to do this. We have a ton of pictures – which I will post when I can – and a lot of good memories. So worth it in my opinion.

How did that happen?!

Well, I got a B! in Biochemistry!  How in the world did I pull that off?  I wasn't doing too hot in this class - passing of course, but not getting the exam grades I was hoping to get.  When I checked my grade before the final I was on the B/C edge and when I checked my grade after the final... B!  I either did really really really good on the final, or I did so poorly he laughed so hard that he felt he had to give me a B.  :o)  I'm kinda dumbfounded in a way, but I'm am so relieved. 

Ever since classes have ended I have been studying for the MCAT.  This has not been fun, but I am really hoping I can pull off a 28.  This is the magic number I need to apply early decision to med school, which means I will go through the process of interviewing and getting a decision back faster.  If I get below a 28 I will have to apply regular decision, - which is still ok, but will take longer to get an interview.  I am confident I will get in, it's just a matter of when. 

I have been in the process of filling out the application over the past couple of week (yes it is a very loooong and tedious application), which asks me to list every. single. class. I've ever taken at every university I've ever attended.  This took a little bit of time for me considering I've attended one community college and two universities.  Then on top of it all, I have to have my transcripts sent in to the application service anyway.... Is it me or is this a little redundant? 

I am also tweaking my personal statement and getting it ready to attach to the application.  This is one of the big pieces that will get me in the door.  The trick is to make it sound like I am an interesting person who knows why they want to be a doctor and can demonstrate the skills I have that will make me a good doctor - in only 5300 characters.  Yes, that includes spaces, commas and periods. Not as easy as it sounds considering this will be a huge factor in them wanting interview me and questions they will ask me during the interview.  No pressure.

Really, this process isn't as bad as it sounds.  It's time consuming but really not bad.  I think the hardest part is trying to study for the MCAT while working and taking classes.  I didn't do as much as I needed to over the semester so now I'm down to studying three months worth of material in one.  It's hard to find enough time to study everything and take the practice tests in a timed setting like I would on test day, but I am hoping that I will know enough and have enough practice questions under my belt to do well.  And to have the will power to not change my answers!  I took a practice test about a month or so ago and I didn't do very well (it was over the span of a day and at work on breaks), but a big percentage of the questions I missed were because I changed my answers.  Grrrrr!

Ok, ok, I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing about the MCAT, but that is what is on my mind and will be until June 17th.  Then you will be tired of me obsessing about what score I got until July 17th*.   It'll be a long summer.  :o)

*and people wonder why premeds are so stressed out.  he he he  I know, I know, just wait till I'm actually in medical school.  I'm sure I'll drive Brad nuts! 

One down, one more to go

Well, another semester is over with and only one more to go.  It's so weird to think that I will be graduating in December, but I like the thought.

Now that finals are over, not sure how I did though, I will be cramming for the MCAT.  This will be interesting as it is a huge test that is not meant for cramming.  Studying over the semester didn't work out very well so I am hoping I can get in enough to do well.  I'm pretty nervous about it. 

We rearranged our living room a few weeks ago, and I love the new space!  It's funny how moving some furniture around can change the way a room feels.  I love it. 

I think I'm going to try an plant some flowers this weekend.  I  won some wild flower seeds as a door prize the other day and I have some tulips they dug up from the university I need to replant.  I'm kind of excited to start my little flower garden around the house. 

Pretty/Random Thoughts

Brad has been begging me to post so he can look at the pretty flowers he got me last weekend.  I know, I've had these pictures for a whole week and haven't posted them yet!  Well, it's been pretty busy the past week, and I am trying to finish up this semester.  Only two more weeks from tomorrow and its over with!  Yikes!  That means that I will be only one semester away from graduating.  Woo hoo!!

On a side note, I have decided to take the June 17th, MCAT.  This will allow me to study for another month and only study the MCAT.  The down side is that it is only two days away from our vow renewels.  At least it is a simple ceremony, so I won't have anything to really stress over. 

They were digging up tulips out front at work today so I got to pick a bunch up to plant in our yard.  They are all yellow, but still really pretty.  I'm excited to start planting some pretty things around the yard and give it some more character.

This weekend we had a guy come over to shampoo and convince us to buy a vacuum/shampooer.  No, we didn't buy the $2,800 vacuum/shampooer, but our carpet sure looks a lot better.  Since we had the living room cleared out we decided to rearrange.  It looks so much better!  I really like it and it feels homier and more comfortable.  I can't wait to go home so I can relax in the new "feel"

Now... the pictures.  ;o)