Try number 2

Well, I don't think I'm getting an interview invite for this round, which I'm ok with.  I knew it was a long shot and it was a good experience for the next round.  I am going to start studying for the MCAT again next week (booo!)  and I will be using a schedule and materials I found here, posted by a smart dude.  I'm going to miss my freedom, as it has been a wonderful month and a half of doing whatever I wanted when I got home.  No deadlines, no tests, no stress.   Sorry honey, but the neurotic, stressed out, no time for anything wife will be back for a few months.

My current plan will be to come home, work out, eat then study.  I am hoping to have around 2-3 hours of studying during the week, and a little more on the weekends.  I'm not sure how that will work, but I may have to tweak it a bit once I get going.  I also have Examkrackers Audio Osmosis and will be utilizing that on my drive to and from work, which will give me another two hours of MCAT information.  I just hope I can stay awake on the drive!  ha ha ha 
I bought full length exams here through AMCAS last year and will have to buy them again when they expire, plus I want to buy the few that I didn't last time.  They were really helpful because they are actual retired MCAT exams, so you get a good feel for the test, and the score you get is going to be pretty close to the score you get on the real thing - unless you have a total panic attack or horrible test day. The scores I was getting on the practice exams were in the same range as the score I got on the real thing, so for me it was real accurate.  The strategy is to use these exams the month or so before the real exam.  If you feel the need to use practice exams before this, use other exams, such as Kaplan, Berkley Review or Gold Standard  for early practice, and then start using the AMCAS tests about a month out from the test date.   I've heard a lot of people use this method and they say it helped them out quite a bit.  I just really hope I can get the score I want this next go around so I don't have to do it AGAIN.  I will keep you posted.  :o)

Blogging

Yes, I know this is supposed to be a journey to med school and beyond blog, but right now I am patiently waiting for my interview invite and don't want to say much about it right now. I knew going into this thing that I was a long shot with my lower MCAT score, but I still wanted to give it a shot. I'm still holding out hope that I get an interview, but at the same time I'm afraid to say that I have to start studying for the MCAT again next month for fear that I'll jinx myself. If anyone reading this has ever studied for and taken the MCAT, then you know just how much I really don't want to study for this thing! It is a three to four month process and really requires the time and attention of a part time job. I was really starting to enjoy not having to study for a few months. But alas my free time has been cut short. Here to hoping I get my interview soon!

More crocheting

Here is a cool scarf I'm making for a friend of ours. Its a guy that helps Brad deliver loads once in awhile. His truck is black and lime green and the inspiration for the scarf. I am trying out a new stitch I learned, the afghan stitch. I am loving it! I was also playing around with some stitches that are for crocheting but look like they were knitted, but I liked the way this one looked better. I really like how the front and back have two different patterns and the way the yarn blends together. I have a feeling I will be trying the others out on something else soon though. :o).

Second Scarf

Here are a couple of pics of the other scarf I made. It's so soft and warm! I've thought about making a lapghan to bring into work because it can get a little chilly in my area. I'm still debating that one though, so we'll see.

Scarf

Here are a couple of pictures of one of the scarves I  finished a couple weeks ago.  I took a picture of the other scarf, but I didn't like the way it came out so I'll have to take another one later. I am just about finished with the afghan, but I have been fighting a cold for the past couple weeks and haven't felt too energetic lately.  I am hoping to feel better this weekend so I can start working out again.  I haven't worked out regularly since xmas and I need to get back on track. 

 

New Year

Well, another year has come and gone.  Wow! I can't believe I have had this blog for over a year.  I can't believe that I took my MCAT and applied to medical school.  I can't believe that I married m best friend.  Again.  I can't believe that I graduated!  I can't believe that it is 2011! 

Anyone else feel that time is going by way too fast?

This new years was spent on the couch with my hubby and the kiddo (who will be taller than me by summer, I swear) playing video games and crocheting. We are real party animals!  It was a quiet night, but it was nice to just hang out and do nothing.  Laaazy!  It didn't help that both Brad and I didn't feel the greatest. Gotta love cold season.

I don't think I have any new years resolutions.  No one ever sticks to them anyways. I am hoping this year will bring a medical school acceptance - whether it be in Feb/March, or Nov/Dec.  If I don't get an interview invite within the next month or so, I will have to reapply and hope for a Nov/Dec acceptance.  I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a miracle, but either way, if I get in in 2011 I'll be happy.  (but I really want to be class of 2015)

Afghan Project

Now that I have plenty of time on my hands, I am crocheting again.  Here is what I did this weekend:

They are roses for an afghan I am making for Brad's grandmother, which can be found here:

 

The rose pattern isn't the same one the pattern calls for, however. I found another one I liked better here. I changed it up mainly because I couldn't figure out the directions on the original pattern.  I'm not sure if it's because it is an old pattern or because it's my first time doing something like this, but either way I like the new roses better.  I can't wait to see how the two colored roses turn out, and I really hope they work with the afghan.  They stick out more than the original roses, but the afghan is for his grandma so I think it will work out fine.  I'll post a pic of the finished product, I promise!

 

I also started crocheting a scarf with the yarn my step mom bought for me years ago when I wanted to learn to knit.  She bought me some yarn and a little first time knitting book.  I decided that I would use the yarn, but crochet with it instead because it's not really a good first time knitter yarn.  I was just about done with it when I noticed I made a mistake... I had to unravel almost half of it! It's really cute though, and I will post a pic when I am finished with it as well.

 

I really want to learn to knit, but I told myself I would finish the projects I started first.  Mainly the afghans I need to make for Brad's dad and grandma.  The rest of them got afghans last Christmas, and I was supposed to get them finished this xmas, but I was waaay to busy with genetics this year.  So I am going to give them as birthday gifts.  I have even thought about trying the stitches you can do with a crochet hook that look like they were knitted.  I found a blog called Hooked On Needles that shows how to do the stitches, along with some other tutorials related to crocheting and knitting. It's pretty neat, so if you enjoy crocheting or knitting, check it out.