I've been pretty concerned about Titan for the past 24 hours. Yesterday morning, I noticed that he passed some dark and tarry stools when I walked him. He had another black stool in the afternoon that smelled particularly metallic, and I began to run through a differential of gastrointestinal diagnoses in my head: gastric/duodenal ulcer vs. bowel ischemia vs. varices vs. AVMs vs. cancer.
I was so concerned, in fact, that I performed a fecal occult blood test at home this morning. Luckily, the color his bowel movements returned to brown, and the FOBT was negative. I considered posting a picture on my blog, but decided not to publish photos of poop smears for the sake of anyone and everyone who might be reading this.
So, the good news is that Titan is not having an upper GI bleed. The bad news is that he may still develop one in the future given his history of chewing on glass.
Hot Off the Press
It's 3am. I just got home from another exhausting shift at the ED. I'm starving, and what do I find? A new blog post from my friend Steph that delights me to no end.
You absolutely must click here to reserve a free breakfast entree from Chick-fil-A next week. If you live in the Charlottesville area or just love me so much you want to come eat Chick-fil-A with me, then you should sign up for a meal at the Woodbrook Drive location on Saturday, Sept. 10 between 8:30am to 9:30am.
I'll be having the Spicy Chicken Biscuit. What about you?
You absolutely must click here to reserve a free breakfast entree from Chick-fil-A next week. If you live in the Charlottesville area or just love me so much you want to come eat Chick-fil-A with me, then you should sign up for a meal at the Woodbrook Drive location on Saturday, Sept. 10 between 8:30am to 9:30am.
I'll be having the Spicy Chicken Biscuit. What about you?
First Day of Class
I went back to school today. I'm not talking about a clinical correlations lecture; I'm not talking about medical anatomy or another one of the basic sciences; I'm not even talking about college biology. I walked into a high school musical theatre ensemble class.
Why? Well, today was my first day as the accompanist for the Charlottesville High School Theatre Department. Because, you know, being a medical student isn't busy enough.
Actually, it's really not: my fourth year is starting to wind down, and I'll have plenty of time in the fall and the spring to do the stuff I like to do: reading, hiking, trivia, and of course, playing piano. And since only one of those is a marketable skill that I can get paid to do, you can probably guess where I'll be focusing my attention and energy. That's right: winning trivia night.
Why? Well, today was my first day as the accompanist for the Charlottesville High School Theatre Department. Because, you know, being a medical student isn't busy enough.
Actually, it's really not: my fourth year is starting to wind down, and I'll have plenty of time in the fall and the spring to do the stuff I like to do: reading, hiking, trivia, and of course, playing piano. And since only one of those is a marketable skill that I can get paid to do, you can probably guess where I'll be focusing my attention and energy. That's right: winning trivia night.
How Perceptive
Sunny just asked me where I was when I took the second half of the photos in my last post. She has a keen eye! Indeed, the background changes about two-thirds of the way through the video. That's because one afternoon during a thunderstorm, Titan freaked out and chewed up the mirror in my room. Yes, it's true, he literally ate glass. So for the last portion of my P90X routine I took pictures in my roommate David's room. I hope this clarifies things.
Refresh
It's like Pringles: once you pop, you can't stop!
This afternoon, I restarted the entire P90X Classic cycle. I haven't worked out in the past week since I finished, and I hate to say it, but I've missed it. This time around, though, I'm going to do a few things differently.
1. My start day is Saturday, which means that my rest day is Friday. Last time, I thought it would be nice to have a rest day on Sunday, so I could get an entire weekend day off. But the truth is, I kept missing Friday workouts to get dinner and hang out with friends after work, and then I'd end up having to make up workouts over the weekend. So I may as well build my workout calendar around my social schedule to begin with.
2. Instead of doing 90 minutes of yoga, I'm only doing the first 45 minutes of moving asanas and skipping straight to Yoga Belly X. Forget the balance postures. I stink at them and I don't really care to get better, anyway.
3. I'm replacing the Kenpo workout with the Cardio X workout. Cardio X is shorter, it's more fun, and most importantly, it gets my heart rate going faster than Kenpo. What else could go right?
I also made a video of my daily progress during my first cycle of P90X. I paired it with the most random song I could find in my iTunes library, Ugly Girl by Tai Mai Shu.
As you can see, I successfully reclaimed the abs that had gone into hibernation during my first three years of medical school. Hopefully by the end of this second cycle I can also reclaim a respectable set of pectoral muscles. Well, actually, they never really existed. But there's a first for everything!
This afternoon, I restarted the entire P90X Classic cycle. I haven't worked out in the past week since I finished, and I hate to say it, but I've missed it. This time around, though, I'm going to do a few things differently.
1. My start day is Saturday, which means that my rest day is Friday. Last time, I thought it would be nice to have a rest day on Sunday, so I could get an entire weekend day off. But the truth is, I kept missing Friday workouts to get dinner and hang out with friends after work, and then I'd end up having to make up workouts over the weekend. So I may as well build my workout calendar around my social schedule to begin with.
2. Instead of doing 90 minutes of yoga, I'm only doing the first 45 minutes of moving asanas and skipping straight to Yoga Belly X. Forget the balance postures. I stink at them and I don't really care to get better, anyway.
3. I'm replacing the Kenpo workout with the Cardio X workout. Cardio X is shorter, it's more fun, and most importantly, it gets my heart rate going faster than Kenpo. What else could go right?
I also made a video of my daily progress during my first cycle of P90X. I paired it with the most random song I could find in my iTunes library, Ugly Girl by Tai Mai Shu.
As you can see, I successfully reclaimed the abs that had gone into hibernation during my first three years of medical school. Hopefully by the end of this second cycle I can also reclaim a respectable set of pectoral muscles. Well, actually, they never really existed. But there's a first for everything!
TGIF
Just got off of my first night shift in the Peds ED, where we see all patients up to the age of 21.
Guess where all of the underage drinkers with alcohol poisoning go?
Nothing I do removes the stench of vomit from my nose.
Guess where all of the underage drinkers with alcohol poisoning go?
Nothing I do removes the stench of vomit from my nose.
Autobiography
Will I ever become famous or important enough to warrant writing a memoir? If so, what would I name it?
I don't know the answer to the first question, but this weekend, Neil, Randy, Sunny, and I tackled the second one. And pretty successfully, I might add. Here are the 25 frontrunners:
- To Woldecim and Back
- The Cat in the Woldecim
- A Tale of Two Woldecims
- Where the Wild Woldecims Are
- It's a Beautiful Woldecim
- Journey to the Center of the Woldecim
- Farenheit 45Woldecim
- The Fellowship of the Woldecim
- Goodnight, Woldecim
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Woldecim
- The Importance of Being Woldecim
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Woldecim
- Pride and Woldecim
- Woldecim Heights
- Green Eggs and Woldecim
- A Woldecim Night's Dream
- Around the Woldecim in 80 Days
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Woldecim
- The Call of the Woldecim
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Woldecimtime
- Woldecim Crusoe
- Gone with the Woldecim
- Cry, the Beloved Woldecim
- War of the Woldecims
And my favorite, only because it is four times worse than the original:
- 80,000 Leagues Under the Woldecim
I don't know the answer to the first question, but this weekend, Neil, Randy, Sunny, and I tackled the second one. And pretty successfully, I might add. Here are the 25 frontrunners:
- To Woldecim and Back
- The Cat in the Woldecim
- A Tale of Two Woldecims
- Where the Wild Woldecims Are
- It's a Beautiful Woldecim
- Journey to the Center of the Woldecim
- Farenheit 45Woldecim
- The Fellowship of the Woldecim
- Goodnight, Woldecim
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Woldecim
- The Importance of Being Woldecim
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Woldecim
- Pride and Woldecim
- Woldecim Heights
- Green Eggs and Woldecim
- A Woldecim Night's Dream
- Around the Woldecim in 80 Days
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Woldecim
- The Call of the Woldecim
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Woldecimtime
- Woldecim Crusoe
- Gone with the Woldecim
- Cry, the Beloved Woldecim
- War of the Woldecims
And my favorite, only because it is four times worse than the original:
- 80,000 Leagues Under the Woldecim
The Day After Tomorrow
The reports are true: at 1:51pm today, Virginia experienced a 5.8-magnitude earthquake stemming from this point in Louisa County. Where were you when it happened?
I was in the Pediatric Emergency Department, where I am working for the next two weeks. At first, we thought it was construction, which had been going on and vibrating the ground floor all morning. But the shakes were more severe than the buzzing feeling we had been getting in our feet all day, and we soon realized that we were experiencing the effects of an earthquake, not a jackhammer. By that point, the tremors had stopped, and luckily for us, the UVA Emergency Department was still intact.
Normally I'd make some sort of geographic or geologic pun right about now, but given the serious nature of natural disasters, there's Norway I'd stoop Oslo as that.
EDIT: Knowing that Titan doesn't do well in thunderstorms, I wondered how he fared during the earthquake. Well, Mo just told me that Titan crept downstairs and snuck into his bedroom to hang out with him and Bam Bam during the tremors. Aww, so cute! This also brings me to another point: Titan has figured out how to break out of my room despite the fact that my door opens inward. He just wedges his nose between the doorknob and the door frame until the knob rotates counterclockwise, then he pulls backward until the door flies open. He is truly a daugtistic savant.
I was in the Pediatric Emergency Department, where I am working for the next two weeks. At first, we thought it was construction, which had been going on and vibrating the ground floor all morning. But the shakes were more severe than the buzzing feeling we had been getting in our feet all day, and we soon realized that we were experiencing the effects of an earthquake, not a jackhammer. By that point, the tremors had stopped, and luckily for us, the UVA Emergency Department was still intact.
Normally I'd make some sort of geographic or geologic pun right about now, but given the serious nature of natural disasters, there's Norway I'd stoop Oslo as that.
EDIT: Knowing that Titan doesn't do well in thunderstorms, I wondered how he fared during the earthquake. Well, Mo just told me that Titan crept downstairs and snuck into his bedroom to hang out with him and Bam Bam during the tremors. Aww, so cute! This also brings me to another point: Titan has figured out how to break out of my room despite the fact that my door opens inward. He just wedges his nose between the doorknob and the door frame until the knob rotates counterclockwise, then he pulls backward until the door flies open. He is truly a daugtistic savant.
You've Got a Friend in Me
Mo, the latest addition to my ever-growing list of roommates at my current residence, is the proud owner of a dog named Bam Bam. When they first moved in, Titan was not a fan of the new pup in town. He's gotten to the age when he doesn't just want to flop around and play with other dogs (see my post on daugtism), and he's become very territorial on top of that. So, we prevented Bam Bam and Titan from interacting inside the house for several weeks.
In the meantime, Mo and I adjusted our dogs to one another's presence on neutral ground outside of the house. Bam Bam slowly learned that maybe he shouldn't try humping Titan, because that immediately sets Titan off. Titan slowly learned that maybe he shouldn't snap at Bam Bam, because I'll pick him up and body slam him if I have to in order to get him to stop.
I didn't realize how close the two of them had become until this past week, when Mo went out of town and left Bam Bam with one of his friends. Every day, Titan would go down to the basement where Mo and Bam Bam's bedroom is and sit by the door. When I called for him, he would reluctantly slink his way back up the staircase. Luckily, Mo and Bam Bam came home last night, so I took the two dogs for a quick romp outside before work this morning.
Oh, how they love wrestling on the beautiful landscape of the South Lawn! Bam Bam, it's good to have you back. Titan has missed you!
In the meantime, Mo and I adjusted our dogs to one another's presence on neutral ground outside of the house. Bam Bam slowly learned that maybe he shouldn't try humping Titan, because that immediately sets Titan off. Titan slowly learned that maybe he shouldn't snap at Bam Bam, because I'll pick him up and body slam him if I have to in order to get him to stop.
I didn't realize how close the two of them had become until this past week, when Mo went out of town and left Bam Bam with one of his friends. Every day, Titan would go down to the basement where Mo and Bam Bam's bedroom is and sit by the door. When I called for him, he would reluctantly slink his way back up the staircase. Luckily, Mo and Bam Bam came home last night, so I took the two dogs for a quick romp outside before work this morning.
Oh, how they love wrestling on the beautiful landscape of the South Lawn! Bam Bam, it's good to have you back. Titan has missed you!
Super Lake House Fun Time
It's no doubt that I've had a string of excellent birthdays, but this weekend was one for the record books.
The festivities started yesterday with a trip to Courtney's vacation house at Lake of the Woods. The fourth years came out in full force with four dogs in tow. Titan was the only one who enjoyed the water, but I think they all had a good time. More importantly, all of the humans had a great time. In fact, I had so much fun that I lost my $230 glasses. They fell off when I jumped into the water, inspiring my theme for the day: It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Blindest of Times. Purchasing a new pair without my insurance would cost me $577, so for the time being, I'm wearing my old glasses. They're a little bit scratched up, but they'll do.
I somehow rallied the energy to go straight to Trivia when we got back, and although our team came in fourth place, the fact that it was my birthday got us a consolation prize: bubble wrap! Needless to say, I spent the rest of the night popping away. Thank you, quizmistress, for the gift that keeps on giving (us angry looks from the patrons sitting next to us)!
The celebrations continued today, with a brunch hosted by Neil and Paru. We followed that up with one of my favorite hobbies, if it can be called that: beer tasting. Liz generously served as the designated driver, which was a great win for me, because it meant we got to ride in the convertible with the top down. ZOMG, it was like a 30-minute roller coaster ride. THE BEST!
Sadly, all great birthdays must come to an end. We finished things off with a family-style dinner at Peter Chang's China Grill. I don't have much to say about it other than the fact that IT WAS DELICIOUS. So, do yourself a favor and go check it out. And invite me when you go.
Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate hitting the quarter-century mark. You guys are the best friends a hunchcat lover could ever ask for!
The festivities started yesterday with a trip to Courtney's vacation house at Lake of the Woods. The fourth years came out in full force with four dogs in tow. Titan was the only one who enjoyed the water, but I think they all had a good time. More importantly, all of the humans had a great time. In fact, I had so much fun that I lost my $230 glasses. They fell off when I jumped into the water, inspiring my theme for the day: It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Blindest of Times. Purchasing a new pair without my insurance would cost me $577, so for the time being, I'm wearing my old glasses. They're a little bit scratched up, but they'll do.
I somehow rallied the energy to go straight to Trivia when we got back, and although our team came in fourth place, the fact that it was my birthday got us a consolation prize: bubble wrap! Needless to say, I spent the rest of the night popping away. Thank you, quizmistress, for the gift that keeps on giving (us angry looks from the patrons sitting next to us)!
The celebrations continued today, with a brunch hosted by Neil and Paru. We followed that up with one of my favorite hobbies, if it can be called that: beer tasting. Liz generously served as the designated driver, which was a great win for me, because it meant we got to ride in the convertible with the top down. ZOMG, it was like a 30-minute roller coaster ride. THE BEST!
Sadly, all great birthdays must come to an end. We finished things off with a family-style dinner at Peter Chang's China Grill. I don't have much to say about it other than the fact that IT WAS DELICIOUS. So, do yourself a favor and go check it out. And invite me when you go.
Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate hitting the quarter-century mark. You guys are the best friends a hunchcat lover could ever ask for!
P90X-tasy
I DID IT! I completed all 90 days of P90X. Okay, maybe that's a bit of a stretch. I allowed myself to miss one day of each phase, so technically I did P87X. Either way, I'm pretty proud of the fact that I actually carried through without too much cheating, especially because I also took Step 2 and did my ACE rotation during the past 90 days. So if I can do it, anybody can!
My non-flexing before and after pictures aren't all that impressive (whoa, just noticed I'm wearing the same underwear today as I did the day I started). This is mostly because I don't think I ate healthily enough to maximize the benefits of the course. I mean, how could I possibly resist late night Gus burgers and/or Chistian's pizza? JUST LET ME EAT WHAT I WANT, OKAY?? At least I lost that pooch that was causing me so much stress.
And now, to reward myself, it's Super Lake House Fun Time! I'm eating at least eight hot dogs.
Round 8: Potpourri (2pts each)
1. One, two, three, four, five, everybody in the car so come on let's ride... You know how it goes. Name four of the girls that Lou Bega could use a “little bit of” in his 1999 hit “Mambo No. 5.”
2. Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Believe it or not, there are five oceans that cover 71% of the Earth’s surface. For two points, name all five of them.
3. The Beer Olympics are loosely based on the Olympic Games. For two points, what are the colors of the five Olympic rings?
4. What two chemical elements of the periodic table are named after continents? You must spell them correctly.
5. Massachusetts, I’m real happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Virginia is the best commonwealth of all time. What are the other two commonwealths in the United States?
6. Harry has a stag, Ron has a terrier, and Hermione has an otter. For one point, what spell did they cast to make these animals appear? For another point, in which book did Harry first cast this spell?
7. Since 1903, when they were first sold for just five cents, Crayola's box of 8 crayons has included blue, orange, green, yellow, black, red, and these two colors.
8. For one point, in which country will you find such delicacies as Bunny chow, Biltong, and Mageu? For another point, what is bunny chow?
My non-flexing before and after pictures aren't all that impressive (whoa, just noticed I'm wearing the same underwear today as I did the day I started). This is mostly because I don't think I ate healthily enough to maximize the benefits of the course. I mean, how could I possibly resist late night Gus burgers and/or Chistian's pizza? JUST LET ME EAT WHAT I WANT, OKAY?? At least I lost that pooch that was causing me so much stress.
And now, to reward myself, it's Super Lake House Fun Time! I'm eating at least eight hot dogs.
Round 8: Potpourri (2pts each)
1. One, two, three, four, five, everybody in the car so come on let's ride... You know how it goes. Name four of the girls that Lou Bega could use a “little bit of” in his 1999 hit “Mambo No. 5.”
2. Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Believe it or not, there are five oceans that cover 71% of the Earth’s surface. For two points, name all five of them.
3. The Beer Olympics are loosely based on the Olympic Games. For two points, what are the colors of the five Olympic rings?
4. What two chemical elements of the periodic table are named after continents? You must spell them correctly.
5. Massachusetts, I’m real happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Virginia is the best commonwealth of all time. What are the other two commonwealths in the United States?
6. Harry has a stag, Ron has a terrier, and Hermione has an otter. For one point, what spell did they cast to make these animals appear? For another point, in which book did Harry first cast this spell?
7. Since 1903, when they were first sold for just five cents, Crayola's box of 8 crayons has included blue, orange, green, yellow, black, red, and these two colors.
8. For one point, in which country will you find such delicacies as Bunny chow, Biltong, and Mageu? For another point, what is bunny chow?
Under Scrutiny
During the two weeks of Pediatric Genetics that I just completed, most of the patients that I saw had abnormal facial features. And now I'm so used to closely inspecting eyes, ears, noses, hands, and other body parts for irregularities and asymmetries that I think I'm starting to notice them in everyone I see. Friends, colleagues, strangers: they all look just a little bit syndromic to me. I can't help it! Don't judge me for judging you.
Round 7: I'm Not a Doctor, But I Play One on TV
1. Alan Alda played a doctor on a long-running TV show whose finale was the most-watched program in American history until the 2010 Super Bowl. What was the show’s name?
2. Dr. Hibbert from The Simpsons is a spoof of what other doctor made famous by comedian Bill Cosby?
3. Every Trekkie is familiar with Dr. Leonard McCoy of the USS Enterprise, popularized by actor DeForrest Kelley. What was his character’s nickname on the show?
4. Which musician recently guest starred on House and then invited Hugh Laurie, who plays Dr. Gregory House, to play piano as a special guest on his album Hang Cool Teddy Bear?
5. Anthony Hopkins plays a doctor in what movie, known for being the only horror movie ever to win an Academy Award for Best Picture?
6. Although Dr. Phil isn’t really a medical doctor, he does hold a Ph.D. in what field?
7. On Grey’s Anatomy, what debilitating disease does Meredith Grey’s mother, once a surgeon herself, suffer from?
8. The Arrhythmics are the UVA School of Medicine a cappella group. The Worthless Peons are an a cappella group made up of hospital employees on what TV show?
Round 7: I'm Not a Doctor, But I Play One on TV
1. Alan Alda played a doctor on a long-running TV show whose finale was the most-watched program in American history until the 2010 Super Bowl. What was the show’s name?
2. Dr. Hibbert from The Simpsons is a spoof of what other doctor made famous by comedian Bill Cosby?
3. Every Trekkie is familiar with Dr. Leonard McCoy of the USS Enterprise, popularized by actor DeForrest Kelley. What was his character’s nickname on the show?
4. Which musician recently guest starred on House and then invited Hugh Laurie, who plays Dr. Gregory House, to play piano as a special guest on his album Hang Cool Teddy Bear?
5. Anthony Hopkins plays a doctor in what movie, known for being the only horror movie ever to win an Academy Award for Best Picture?
6. Although Dr. Phil isn’t really a medical doctor, he does hold a Ph.D. in what field?
7. On Grey’s Anatomy, what debilitating disease does Meredith Grey’s mother, once a surgeon herself, suffer from?
8. The Arrhythmics are the UVA School of Medicine a cappella group. The Worthless Peons are an a cappella group made up of hospital employees on what TV show?
Reading for Fun
I don't think I can even remember the last book I read for pleasure. Curses, med school! You did this to me! But I promised myself that after I finished my ACE, I would start reading again. And just now I finished my first book in years: Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. It's actually been sitting on my bookshelf for a long time, and I never got around to it, so I'm glad I finally got the chance to cross it off my list.
I didn't know when I started the book that it was adapted from a series of BBC radio talks that Lewis gave during World War II. The sections on Hope and Christian Behavior take on a whole new meaning when put into the context of a war-torn country constantly under the threat of bombs and destruction. Even without that context, the book is remarkably well-written. While Lewis is no theologian, his mastery of words and imagery help him convey the deepest truths of Christianity in a very accessible way. I highly recommend this book, and if you've already read it, please let me know, because I'd love to discuss it with someone else!
Round 6: Things You'll Learn in Medical School
1. You diagnose a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. What organ is affected by this disease?
2. A mother brings her young son to clinic with questions about pediculosis. What is the common name for this condition frequently found in children who go to daycare?
3. Tommy’s fraternity brothers make fun of him because when he gets drunk, he can’t suppress his urge to eat dirt and clay. What medical condition does he have?
4. Your patient has a disease whose cause is unfortunately unknown. What kind of disease is it?
5. According to pharmaceutical analysis agency IMS Health, what was the most commonly prescribed medication in the United States in the year 2010?
6. Effin’ A, this guy needs an FNA! Wait, what does he need?
7. President John F. Kennedy was famously rumored to have what endocrine diseases?
8. What familiar piece of a doctor’s equipment was invented by the French physician René Théophile Hyacinthe Laënnec in 1819?
I didn't know when I started the book that it was adapted from a series of BBC radio talks that Lewis gave during World War II. The sections on Hope and Christian Behavior take on a whole new meaning when put into the context of a war-torn country constantly under the threat of bombs and destruction. Even without that context, the book is remarkably well-written. While Lewis is no theologian, his mastery of words and imagery help him convey the deepest truths of Christianity in a very accessible way. I highly recommend this book, and if you've already read it, please let me know, because I'd love to discuss it with someone else!
Round 6: Things You'll Learn in Medical School
1. You diagnose a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. What organ is affected by this disease?
2. A mother brings her young son to clinic with questions about pediculosis. What is the common name for this condition frequently found in children who go to daycare?
3. Tommy’s fraternity brothers make fun of him because when he gets drunk, he can’t suppress his urge to eat dirt and clay. What medical condition does he have?
4. Your patient has a disease whose cause is unfortunately unknown. What kind of disease is it?
5. According to pharmaceutical analysis agency IMS Health, what was the most commonly prescribed medication in the United States in the year 2010?
6. Effin’ A, this guy needs an FNA! Wait, what does he need?
7. President John F. Kennedy was famously rumored to have what endocrine diseases?
8. What familiar piece of a doctor’s equipment was invented by the French physician René Théophile Hyacinthe Laënnec in 1819?
Decisions, Decisions
I am proud to say that as of today, I have completed the entirety of my residency application. Well, except for one tiny detail: I still have no idea where I'm applying. I basically started this afternoon with a list of every Pediatrics residency in a state that I would be willing to live in, and I've whittled that list down to 32 programs.
I realize that because I have a less-than-stellar Step 1 score, I need to cast a wider net than most UVA students, but I definitely don't need to be applying to 32 programs (wait... do I?). So, the goal now is to shave off a few more off of the list so that I'm more in the 20-25 range.
Now that the important stuff is out of the way, I'm hoping someone can clear up how I got three scratches on my back. If you morphed into a clawed animal and sneaked into my room last night, I hope you at least have the decency to explain yourself!
Round 4: Slogans
1. All the news that's fit to print.
2. Betcha can't eat just one.
3. Reach out and touch someone.
4. Put a tiger in your tank.
5. Be all you can be.
6. Get N or get out.
7. It's okay to look.
8. Broadcast yourself.
I realize that because I have a less-than-stellar Step 1 score, I need to cast a wider net than most UVA students, but I definitely don't need to be applying to 32 programs (wait... do I?). So, the goal now is to shave off a few more off of the list so that I'm more in the 20-25 range.
Now that the important stuff is out of the way, I'm hoping someone can clear up how I got three scratches on my back. If you morphed into a clawed animal and sneaked into my room last night, I hope you at least have the decency to explain yourself!
Round 4: Slogans
1. All the news that's fit to print.
2. Betcha can't eat just one.
3. Reach out and touch someone.
4. Put a tiger in your tank.
5. Be all you can be.
6. Get N or get out.
7. It's okay to look.
8. Broadcast yourself.
Daugtism
I'm pretty sure that my dog has autism. It wasn't always like this; when Titan was younger, he loved playing with other dogs at the dog park. But I've noticed a change over the past few years. As he's grown older, he's no longer interested in interactive play. These days, when we go to park, he only participates in parallel play.
And he fixates. Recently, he's become fixated on looking for sticks at the bottom of the river. He plunges his head into the water and digs through the mud with his front paws until he finally finds a stick. I joke to the other owners that my dog is dredging for gold, but deep inside I'm wondering, What the heck is wrong with my dog? Why doesn't he just run around and wrestle like the rest of them?
I don't know how to teach him the social skills he needs to develop normal relationships with his peers. I also don't know what happened to cause this change in behavior... but I'm pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with his immunizations.
Round 3: Cher versus Paris (was this a quote by Cher in the movie Clueless or a tweet by Paris Hilton?)
1. When your allergies act up, take out your nose ring.
2. Life is too short to focus on the negative. Always focus on the positive and good in your life and good things will come your way.
3. I feel like such a heifer.
4. These rumors going around are so ridiculous, untrue and cruel.
5. I love leopard.
6. I broke in my purple clogs.
7. I want to do something for humanity.
8. The best things in life aren’t things.
And he fixates. Recently, he's become fixated on looking for sticks at the bottom of the river. He plunges his head into the water and digs through the mud with his front paws until he finally finds a stick. I joke to the other owners that my dog is dredging for gold, but deep inside I'm wondering, What the heck is wrong with my dog? Why doesn't he just run around and wrestle like the rest of them?
Action shot of Titan dredging.
Found one!
I don't know how to teach him the social skills he needs to develop normal relationships with his peers. I also don't know what happened to cause this change in behavior... but I'm pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with his immunizations.
Round 3: Cher versus Paris (was this a quote by Cher in the movie Clueless or a tweet by Paris Hilton?)
1. When your allergies act up, take out your nose ring.
2. Life is too short to focus on the negative. Always focus on the positive and good in your life and good things will come your way.
3. I feel like such a heifer.
4. These rumors going around are so ridiculous, untrue and cruel.
5. I love leopard.
6. I broke in my purple clogs.
7. I want to do something for humanity.
8. The best things in life aren’t things.
Stinky Fart Dog
A while ago I switched Titan from Purina Beneful Original to Rachael Ray Nutrish. I forgot why I switched dog foods other than the fact that Nutrish was on sale at Kroger for the next six months and was actually cheaper than the major brands. This past weekend I had to buy more dog food and Nutrish was no longer on sale, so I went back to Beneful. Today, Titan started having stinky farts again, and I remembered why I had stopped feeding it to him in the first place. I guess the pricey stuff actually is better, after all.
You know what's cooler than my stinky fart dog? The first ever VMed Orientation Trivia Night, where Nosheen and I finally lived out our dreams of being quizmasters. Check out this extremely awkward photo of us sitting at our high-tech booth, where we had control over all of the audio and visual displays in the Learning Studio.
That's right, Geeks Who Drink ain't got nothin' on us! Although, I did steal their quiz format, including their Audio Round 2 and Visual Round 5. We chose to do 90s one-hit wonders and US presidents for each of those rounds, respectively. I'll publish the questions we wrote for the remaining six rounds at the bottom of every post this week. Check out the Comments section for the answers!
Round 1: What's in a Name?
1. The hit single Graduation was released in April 2000, just in time for my middle school graduation, by Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick. What is her stage name?
2. We know him as Magic Johnson, but he grew up with the name Earvin Johnson. What number did the Los Angeles Lakers retire in 1996 in his honor?
3. Actress and singer Marilyn Monroe is a well-known sex symbol of the ‘50s and ‘60s. However, her parents gave her a decidedly less sexy name. What was her birth name?
4. The power of foresight: what large American city, now known for having the world’s busiest airport, was called Terminus until 1843?
5. Actually, Toto, we’re still in Kansas. What city renamed itself Google during the month of March 2010?
6. The Sears Tower was the tallest building in the world for almost 25 years. What is its official name as of July 16, 2009?
7. When I was your age, Pluto was a planet. What is its designation today, according to the International Astronomical Union?
8. What is the stage name of Carlos Irwin Estevez? Hint: it’s not Thomas Jefferson; he was a pussy.
You know what's cooler than my stinky fart dog? The first ever VMed Orientation Trivia Night, where Nosheen and I finally lived out our dreams of being quizmasters. Check out this extremely awkward photo of us sitting at our high-tech booth, where we had control over all of the audio and visual displays in the Learning Studio.
That's right, Geeks Who Drink ain't got nothin' on us! Although, I did steal their quiz format, including their Audio Round 2 and Visual Round 5. We chose to do 90s one-hit wonders and US presidents for each of those rounds, respectively. I'll publish the questions we wrote for the remaining six rounds at the bottom of every post this week. Check out the Comments section for the answers!
Round 1: What's in a Name?
1. The hit single Graduation was released in April 2000, just in time for my middle school graduation, by Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick. What is her stage name?
2. We know him as Magic Johnson, but he grew up with the name Earvin Johnson. What number did the Los Angeles Lakers retire in 1996 in his honor?
3. Actress and singer Marilyn Monroe is a well-known sex symbol of the ‘50s and ‘60s. However, her parents gave her a decidedly less sexy name. What was her birth name?
4. The power of foresight: what large American city, now known for having the world’s busiest airport, was called Terminus until 1843?
5. Actually, Toto, we’re still in Kansas. What city renamed itself Google during the month of March 2010?
6. The Sears Tower was the tallest building in the world for almost 25 years. What is its official name as of July 16, 2009?
7. When I was your age, Pluto was a planet. What is its designation today, according to the International Astronomical Union?
8. What is the stage name of Carlos Irwin Estevez? Hint: it’s not Thomas Jefferson; he was a pussy.
Here We Go Again
And so another class at the UVA School of Medicine has been oriented and is ready to start the first day of classes tomorrow.
This weekend marked the tail end of their two-week social orientation, which went swimmingly. Last night we held the annual Pirate Party. Sadly, the weathARR didn't comply, but we were having so much fun that it didn't really bother us. Plus, what bettARR way to stimulate the pirate senses than by feelinggiant raindrops the salty ocean breeze on our faces?
And of course we ended the whole ordeal with a Sunday polo match at King Family Vineyards, as per tradition. I was a little unsure of how the afternoon would go because it was so freaking hot, but I should have known that any event involving horses would go swimmingly. I brought Titan along, so he got to stomp the divots with us at the halftime break. I also pretended he was my own polo horse. He looks enough like one, anyway.
As we were leaving, we ran into PJ, my little sib, and his friends, who offered to share their bountiful feast of Raising Cane's chicken, fruit salad, and brownies. Their offer was not refused.
Congratulations again to SMD15. I'm excited for the four years ahead of you, but let's be honest, I'm much more excited for the last year ahead of me. BECAUSE OMG I LOVE FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS SO MUCH!!!!!!!1!!
This weekend marked the tail end of their two-week social orientation, which went swimmingly. Last night we held the annual Pirate Party. Sadly, the weathARR didn't comply, but we were having so much fun that it didn't really bother us. Plus, what bettARR way to stimulate the pirate senses than by feeling
And of course we ended the whole ordeal with a Sunday polo match at King Family Vineyards, as per tradition. I was a little unsure of how the afternoon would go because it was so freaking hot, but I should have known that any event involving horses would go swimmingly. I brought Titan along, so he got to stomp the divots with us at the halftime break. I also pretended he was my own polo horse. He looks enough like one, anyway.
As we were leaving, we ran into PJ, my little sib, and his friends, who offered to share their bountiful feast of Raising Cane's chicken, fruit salad, and brownies. Their offer was not refused.
Congratulations again to SMD15. I'm excited for the four years ahead of you, but let's be honest, I'm much more excited for the last year ahead of me. BECAUSE OMG I LOVE FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS SO MUCH!!!!!!!1!!
Mawwiage
Last night I went to my first med school wedding! Well, I guess technically Brittany and Brandon were first, but they were engaged before Brittany started med school, so I'm not counting it. Anyway, Jim and Mary tied the knot and invited a bunch of their med school friends to join them in their celebration.
Unfortunately, Colleen and I had to come straight from the White Coat Ceremony for the new first years, so we didn't get to the wedding until after Mary had walked down the aisle. Still, it was a very nice (and very Catholic) service. Aside: did you know that Catholics recite the Lord's Prayer in a different way than Protestants? Yeah, crazy.
The wedding reception was even better. The band was a perfect wedding band, complete with a Sax Man who limbo-ed with us (although they would have been even more perfect if they could have played Lauren's request for Super Bass). We ate, we danced, and we drank basil gimlets, which are surprisingly delicious. Mary and Jim, thanks for throwing such a great party and letting us celebrate with you!
Unfortunately, Colleen and I had to come straight from the White Coat Ceremony for the new first years, so we didn't get to the wedding until after Mary had walked down the aisle. Still, it was a very nice (and very Catholic) service. Aside: did you know that Catholics recite the Lord's Prayer in a different way than Protestants? Yeah, crazy.
The wedding reception was even better. The band was a perfect wedding band, complete with a Sax Man who limbo-ed with us (although they would have been even more perfect if they could have played Lauren's request for Super Bass). We ate, we danced, and we drank basil gimlets, which are surprisingly delicious. Mary and Jim, thanks for throwing such a great party and letting us celebrate with you!
Cash Money
I went to an away clinic yesterday in Roanoke for Pediatric Genetics. And guess what? I am being reimbursed for traveling expenses! I CANNOT CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT! This is the first time in all of medical school that I have been reimbursed for the cost of gas. And let's face it: it's pretty darn expensive right now.
I have to say, I'm really enjoying Pediatric Genetics for the time being. It's certainly nice to have more normal hours again. It's also kind of crazy to finally see some of the genetic diseases we kept hearing about during the first two years of medical school, like neurofibromatosis and Ehler-Danlos syndrome. Then there are the diseases I've never heard about in my entire life, like facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and Kabuki syndrome. What can I say? You learn something new every day.
I have to say, I'm really enjoying Pediatric Genetics for the time being. It's certainly nice to have more normal hours again. It's also kind of crazy to finally see some of the genetic diseases we kept hearing about during the first two years of medical school, like neurofibromatosis and Ehler-Danlos syndrome. Then there are the diseases I've never heard about in my entire life, like facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and Kabuki syndrome. What can I say? You learn something new every day.
Patience, Iago
WHAT!? I had to wait 92 minutes at the DMV to get my new license.
WHAT!? I had to wait 25 minutes for the person who prints out wedding registries at Bed Bath & Beyond to get me the list for Kevin and Jen's wedding.
WHAT!? I ran into Erin's mom at Barracks Road Shopping Center and then got to hang out with Erin and Will this afternoon. But seriously, how do I keep running into them randomly??
WHAT!? I had to wait 25 minutes for the person who prints out wedding registries at Bed Bath & Beyond to get me the list for Kevin and Jen's wedding.
WHAT!? I ran into Erin's mom at Barracks Road Shopping Center and then got to hang out with Erin and Will this afternoon. But seriously, how do I keep running into them randomly??
A Night of Firsts
Not to be confused with A Day of Firsts.
Last night, Bish and I went to the Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones concert downtown. We walked there, and it was the first time that I had a cup of ice flung at me from a passenger in a car. It hurt.
We got there, and Bela Fleck was already onstage. I was confused as to why Bruce Hornsby played such a short opening act, and then Bish and I were informed that Bruce Hornsby was the main act and that Bela Fleck was opening for him, not the other way around. It was the first time that I went to a concert where I didn't even know which group was headlining.
Bish and I had to show our IDs to prove that we were over 21 years old. When the lady looked at my driver's license, she asked me what my birthday was. It was the first time that anyone has thought that I had a fake ID and then quiz me on my information.
We hung around for a while, both pretty upset that we'd missed half of the Flecktones' performance. To top it off, Bruce Hornsby wasn't really keeping us entertained. It was very formulaic: he'd start off a song playing only the piano (I liked this), then another instrument would come in, providing a counter-melody (I also liked this), but then the sound would keep building with more and more instruments until it just be came noise (I didn't like this). My favorite song they performed was a bluegrass tune, but then they had to go and ruin it by bringing in loud drums. Plus, everything they played was incredibly simple and, frankly, boring. So we left to come home and watch NOVA on Netflix. It was the first time I've ever left a concert early.
Last night, Bish and I went to the Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers and Bela Fleck & the Flecktones concert downtown. We walked there, and it was the first time that I had a cup of ice flung at me from a passenger in a car. It hurt.
We got there, and Bela Fleck was already onstage. I was confused as to why Bruce Hornsby played such a short opening act, and then Bish and I were informed that Bruce Hornsby was the main act and that Bela Fleck was opening for him, not the other way around. It was the first time that I went to a concert where I didn't even know which group was headlining.
Bish and I had to show our IDs to prove that we were over 21 years old. When the lady looked at my driver's license, she asked me what my birthday was. It was the first time that anyone has thought that I had a fake ID and then quiz me on my information.
We hung around for a while, both pretty upset that we'd missed half of the Flecktones' performance. To top it off, Bruce Hornsby wasn't really keeping us entertained. It was very formulaic: he'd start off a song playing only the piano (I liked this), then another instrument would come in, providing a counter-melody (I also liked this), but then the sound would keep building with more and more instruments until it just be came noise (I didn't like this). My favorite song they performed was a bluegrass tune, but then they had to go and ruin it by bringing in loud drums. Plus, everything they played was incredibly simple and, frankly, boring. So we left to come home and watch NOVA on Netflix. It was the first time I've ever left a concert early.
Night Sweats
Last night, I had a terrible, terrible nightmare. I dreamed that I was taking the USMLE Step 2 for the first time with Josh and Jonesy. The format of the test was different, because there were also free response questions. My first question happened in the new free response style, and apparently I clicked the wrong button while typing, causing the test to shut down. I ran to the proctor for help, but she told me that this happens every once in a while, and that my only option was to quit the exam, reschedule for a new testing date, and worst of all, repay the testing fee. I woke up in a puddle of my own sweat.
This is not to be confused with the puddle of sweat that encased my body on Friday night at Escafé. I don't think I've ever been that hot in my entire life. Ultimate Dance Party, you win me this time!
Fun fact: I had to come to the library to check my e-mail and post on my blog this afternoon, because the internet in my house isn't working. What is this, the early 1990s!?
This is not to be confused with the puddle of sweat that encased my body on Friday night at Escafé. I don't think I've ever been that hot in my entire life. Ultimate Dance Party, you win me this time!
Fun fact: I had to come to the library to check my e-mail and post on my blog this afternoon, because the internet in my house isn't working. What is this, the early 1990s!?
Advance Clinical Experienced
See that? That's called past tense, son. I just got home from the last day of my ACE, and I'm pretty much walking on cloud nine. I had a great month, I learned a ton, but above all, I'm glad to have my life back.
First things first: take Titan and Bam Bam (my new roommate's dog) to the South Lawn for some doggy playtime.
Second things second: meet Sunny's new dog, Bebe.
Third things third: treat Timmy, Sunny, and Bish to dinner at Saigon Cafe to thank them for helping me take care of Titan this past month.
Fourth things fourth: party it up with the new first years at tonight's Orientation event, the Ultimate Dance Party at Escafé.
In the immortal words of the Black Eyed Peas, tonight's gonna be a good night, tonight's gonna be a good night, tonight's gonna be a good night, tonight's gonna be a good, good night.
First things first: take Titan and Bam Bam (my new roommate's dog) to the South Lawn for some doggy playtime.
Second things second: meet Sunny's new dog, Bebe.
Third things third: treat Timmy, Sunny, and Bish to dinner at Saigon Cafe to thank them for helping me take care of Titan this past month.
Fourth things fourth: party it up with the new first years at tonight's Orientation event, the Ultimate Dance Party at Escafé.
In the immortal words of the Black Eyed Peas, tonight's gonna be a good night, tonight's gonna be a good night, tonight's gonna be a good night, tonight's gonna be a good, good night.
It's Tradition
You know me. I like taking pictures. Nay, I love taking pictures. But as the wise King Solomon once said, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Welcome BBQ is not a time for pictures.
I don't know how it happened, but I neglected to take any pictures at my own first year Welcome BBQ. The next year, when Nosheen and I were social chairs, we managed to somehow photograph every Orientation event we had except for the Welcome BBQ. Not surprisingly, it escaped my mind yet again last year.
So, in keeping with tradition, today's Welcome BBQ remains undocumented as well. I even had my camera with me and refused to take any pictures, because Welcome BBQ is to remain a legend shrouded in mystery. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW IF IT REALLY HAPPENED, MKAY?
Welcome BBQ is not a time for pictures.
I don't know how it happened, but I neglected to take any pictures at my own first year Welcome BBQ. The next year, when Nosheen and I were social chairs, we managed to somehow photograph every Orientation event we had except for the Welcome BBQ. Not surprisingly, it escaped my mind yet again last year.
So, in keeping with tradition, today's Welcome BBQ remains undocumented as well. I even had my camera with me and refused to take any pictures, because Welcome BBQ is to remain a legend shrouded in mystery. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW IF IT REALLY HAPPENED, MKAY?
I Need a Shower
I'm just going to come out and say it: I was holding one of our pediatric patients this morning when he managed to pee through his diapers and all over me. I changed him and quickly went downstairs to change myself, only to realize I was wearing my last set of scrubs and didn't have a way to get a new pair. My only option at this point was to strip down to turn in my scrubs in order to get one credit, then borrow a new pair wearing nothing but my boxers and my white coat. I was so horrified, all I could do was wander around the second floor aimlessly.
And then, deux ex machina! Dane happened to come into the OR and let me use his ID to borrow a pair of scrubs. So here I sit, no longer covered in urine. Long live Great Dane!
And then, deux ex machina! Dane happened to come into the OR and let me use his ID to borrow a pair of scrubs. So here I sit, no longer covered in urine. Long live Great Dane!
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