Healthy Living, It's still happening.

Nutrisystem week one is complete.  My doctor wanted me to try it, because a) I need to lose weight and b) my cholesterol is borderline high.  "B" is not a surprise, thanks to my wonderful genetics.  

It's really not a bad program.  I'm actually down five pounds after one week* You get a pre-prepared breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert/snack each day.  Along with that, you can have 4+ servings of veggies, two "powerfuels," which are essentially a protein or a dairy, and two "smartcarbs."  Also, I get to drink A LOT of water a day.  Basically I pee all day amounts of water.  They also want you to do 30 minutes of exercise at least five days a week.  That one hasn't been difficult.  I had already started in on my exercise commitment for the year.  

I did bite off more than I could chew, though.  I tried to start nutrisystem, exercising, and an ab plan all at once.  It was just a little too much for me.  So the ab plan is on hold.  But I'll add that back in once I get settled in Phoenix for the month.  

Another amazing thing is that after this week, I have three rotations left!  I think I mentioned this on my last post, but I'm still super excited.  Things are really wrapping up.  Three rotations left.  Boards are all passed.  Written case presentation is turned in.  All that's left is a bunch of graduation odds and ends and ensuring that my evaluations are in.  Crazy!!  

I realize that this is short and sweet, but it's all I've got right now.  







*Haha I think this sounds like a commercial for nutrisystem.  I should mention something like "results not typical." Or something.

Back to Me, Back to Health

It's 2014.  In five months, I'll be a doctor.  Scary, right?

Anyways, I really slacked off the last few months when it came to my health.  Also, apparently my cholesterol is now borderline (thanks, genetics) and so I need to get into ship shape.  

I'm definitely not making this a new year's resolution though, it's got to be a life resolution.  As a doctor, how can I say to my patients they need to lose weight if I, myself, don't follow a good diet and make good lifestyle choices?  I've decided not to just rely on myself though.  I had a bad december emotionally and spiritually.  This really isn't a surprise because of the time of year and all, but I kind of pushed God out of my life without realizing it.  I mean I was going to church and all, but that doesn't really cut it.  And I know that, but sometimes I forget.  However, here we are in the new year.  And I think that I can really try and make some changes.

Here are some things to change:  eating habits, working out habits.  

Here are more important things to change:  prayer habits, spiritual life, and relationships.  

Definitely they are all things to be worked on.

In other news, I have four rotations left!  ENT, which was supposed to start today but I was told to stay home because of the snow, Pediatric Neurology in Phoenix, Oncology in Philadelphia, and 2 weeks of Radi-holiday.  Oops I mean radiology.  Hehe.  I'm excited for neuro because I get to spend the month with my Aunt and Uncle and two cousins!  It'll be a nice (and warm) change.  Then I'm heading to Philly and will stay with some awesome family friends.  All fun things to look forward too!

After radiology, I'm heading to Disney World with one of my good classmates!!  And then graduation is 05/17.  In March, I'll find out where I'm heading for residency.  Should be exciting, and I'll definitely be happy wherever I go.  

Thanks for reading my ramblings.  Here's to a happy new year and a great 2014!

Come to the Manger

"A Savior is born.  The age has begun.  When the meek and the mighty are one.  When we all to the manger come."

So I know that it's a little early to be writing down Christmas lyrics, but it IS after Halloween.  That's when my momma and I start listening to Christmas music.  Today is actually All Saints Day, which to me has always signified the beginning of the end of the church year.  Soon it will be Christ the King and then the year begins again! 

I was thinking about the significance of Christmas time and how the entire year should show the sentiments of Christmas.  Why should we all be joyful and prayerful for one month of the year and not all the others?  This isn't to say that I'm 100% joyful all year round.  I know that I have my faults, one of which is that I sometimes use my depression as a crutch.  However, as I was thinking of things that I am thankful for today, due to it being November 1, I decided that maybe I should focus on just trying to increase the "spirit of Christmas" in my life.  I think that I can "come to the manger" all year round.   

By doing this, I think that I would be thankful all year round.  Yes, America has this lovely holiday about being thankful and those super cool pilgrims, etc.  But that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be thankful in December, right?  So why not be thankful all year round and be joyful all year round, too?  

I think I'll give this all a try and see how things go.  

LIFE UPDATE

I've taken an even longer hiatus this time than last time.  However, summer was quite busy, with boards and moving and starting rotations and all.  Here's a quick run-down

1) I'm officially an OMS-III!!!!! AKA I passed boards...it was the biggest relief I think I've ever had.

2) Rotations so far have been good.  I'm finished with family medicine, which is good because I don't like old people who are ill.  (I'm not looking forward to internal medicine).  I'm currently on pediatrics, which is good because that's what I want to do.  And kids are super cute.

3) I'm living at home right now, saving lots of money.  That's a very good thing, because I'm poor and living on Obama's money.  

4)  I've been needing somewhere to vent things.  Insert Blogger here.  Hopefully.

New Shoes for my birthday!

Oh and I bought these shoes the other day.  I'm super excited for them to get here.  Hopefully it'll be in time for my birthday!!!

Hello out there?

Apparently I have a blog...


Oops.  I've been busy.  I'm going to try and update this dealio soon but for now I'm in Women's health learning about screening for various diseases.  Things like "pap smears should start at the age of 21."  


Fun, right?  


Boards are 4 months from tomorrow...so maybe I'll use this as a way to keep my studying honest.  NOT.


For now, here's one of my favorite pictures, drawn by my best friend, Elizabeth, before she passed away:

OMS-II?? How did this happen so fast?!

Well, OMS-I year is officially over.  I didn't flunk out, so Mom's rule was followed.

Thanks for the rule, Mom!!

This, however scary it may sound, means that OMS-II year is beginning.  And that clinical rotations will start soon-ish.  It's still ten months away and all, but that's like real decisions.  Decisions that will fix people.  Or something.

Anyways, lets hope that this book helps me.  And this one.  So that I don't fail out.

Also, I'm going to try to update more this year.  It's the thought that counts, right?

Family Members are more than friends.

Most of my posts are about happy things.  Or me complaining about school.  This post is going to take a more solemn note.

On Friday, August 12th, my eldest maternal cousin, Patrick John Schlueter was killed in a motorcycle accident.  He was 25 years old.  

This photo accidentally happened two years in a row when the six of us were very little.   So now every time we are together they make us take a "couch picture."  This is the most recent one, from last summer during the week of the Schlueter Family Reunion.  Patrick is on the end on the right of the photo.  

I'm just remembering the good times and wishing that we had more time together. He will be honestly missed and loved for ever.

In loving memory of Patrick John Schlueter.  

12/27/1985 - 07/12/2011

I probably will never be a Neurologist.

Week 1 of quarter 4 is finished.  Finite.  Fin.  Whatever you want.

We are continuing our OTM and DO classes (as always) as well as Pathology and Neuroscience.  We have also picked up Human Nutrition, Pharmacology and Principles of Medicine, the latter of which starts tomorrow.  

Our DO course is actually over, basically.  We have two lectures in a few weeks but it's not testable material.  Oh well I didn't really understand the Epidemiology stuff, I just pretended too.  Oops.  OTM has been relatively interesting as have Path and Pharm (we like to shorten things down...all those -ologies get to be a burden!

My problem is Neuroscience.  I can't bring myself to like it.  We're starting into more clinical applications of it here, so I'm trying to keep an open mind.  But one can only hear so much about the Subthamalic nuclei, Cerebellum, Vestibulospinal tracts**...aka the list goes on and on.  And on.  So I'm sorry for complaining but I needed a little whiny time.  Which is probably not very grown up of me, but that's okay. 

Here's what I wished we needed to learn...sorry that the words are off, it's not my video.

Oh and just in case you didn't peice this together, week 2 starts tomorrow.  I'll try to give updates of fun things that I may or may not be doing.

**I've linked these to the Wikipedia sites.  That is, after all where a good basis of my knowledge comes from.  Scary, huh? And a for my favorite neurological disorder yet, click here. 





This color was the choice of Whitney Cordray.  Thanks!

Well hello there blog...

Maybe I'll try and get back into blogging.  It is a good release, after all.  So I'll sum up each previous month.  Or something like that!

1.  January.

Nothing really exciting happened.  I got back into a good work out routine, only to discover that my tibia and fibula on the bad leg had reseparated due to some interosseous membrane tearing.  This lead to more surgery.  NOT EVEN KIDDING.

2.  February.

Well the first thing in February was the fixation/redo of the ankle problems.  Literally.  Because this happened on February first at about 9 o'clock a.m.  At about 10 o'clock a.m. it started to snow.  And it kept snowing.  The nurses in the hospital, at which I had to spend the night due to some bad nausea that was ensuing, were kind enough to open my blinds so that I could watch the snow fall down.  All 20 inches of it!! That's the most snow that I have ever seen!  And the next exciting thing to happen was school was cancelled the next day! So I didn't miss that much work.  

The rest of February was pretty uneventful.  I turned 23.  I studied.  Yup that's pretty much it.

3.  March.

March brought (somewhat) warmer weather and with that spring break.  My mother and I went to Disney World, even though I was on crutches.  Mom actually pushed me around the parks. We had a lot of fun though!! It was around 85 or 90 degrees and sunny the entire time we were there! After Disney, I had to go back to school...but I got to get my pins removed.  This time they even let me keep the pins! Which is pretty awesome.

This is me at Cinderella's fountain.  She is my favorite princess, and I think this is one of my favorite pictures from the trip.  And there's the crutches to prove that I brought them to Disney.  And yes, Disney workers, I can transfer from the wheelchair to the ride.  That's why I brought the crutches.

4.  April.

April really brought spring weather.  Yes, there were still some cold-ish days, but I was finally able to wear some warmer clothes. I got to go home for Easter time.  Which was a really nice break.  Even though we do that crazy block testing now at school, Easter fell during week two of the block, so I didn't have to study too much.  Other than that, I think that April was relatively uneventful.  There was some more studying that occurred.  As always.

5.  May.

May brought a wedding to the Majchrzak family!  Okay, it wasn't mine - it was my cousin Katie's wedding.  She was a beautiful bride, and it was nice to get out of Kirksville for a weekend/it was the same weekend as Mother's Day so I got to see my mom!  Fun stuff.  Then, we had the epic end of the first school year.  There was another finals week, and then our OMS-I testing and some other cool stuff.  And then the year was over and I did not fail out!  Which was great!

This is my cousin Katie (the bride), her sister, my cousin Chrissie (the maid of honor) and me (a bridesmaid).  We had tons of fun!

6.  June

June brought my two week preceptorship.  I got to work closely with a doctor for two weeks and this was an eye opening experience for me.  My preceptor's practice was in a lower-income area, and when I saw how much they did for their patients, I was truly amazed.  

I did get to have some fun in June.  One of my very good friends growing up got married, and then wedding was a good time!  My father and I went to King's Island, OH and rode a bunch of roller coasters.  This was the second awesome theme park in two years.  Then, I went to visit my brother in the D.C. and Baltimore area.  We went to a Cardinals/Orioles game, and toured around the various Smithsonians and other touristy things.  Finally, I went to Kansas City with my mom to see my cousin graduate from her Family Practice Residency program.  I just kept telling myself...six more years.  Heehee.

This was my favorite ride in King's Island, "The Beast."  It is the world's longest and fastest wooden roller coaster, at 7500 feet and I think close to 75 mph.  AWESOME.

My brother and I parked illegaly to visit this cool place.  Enough said.

7.  July.

Sure some cool stuff has happened so far.  Like moving to my new apartment and getting a new backpack.  And bumming around St. Louis doing cool things.

HOWEVER...something very very very very epic happened.  It involved going to a Midnight Movie Release with the awesome Whitney Cordray.  And watching the final Harry Potter Movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.  And I may have seen it 3 times total in the weekend of its release.

Whitney coined this phrase (and made t-shirts): 7 books, 8 movies, 10+ years, 1 ending childhood.  This sums up more than one could possibly imagine.

I think this sums up everything so far.  If you made it through the whole post, YOU ARE AWESOME. 

The end.

Thanks for the Book, Dr. Schulte

Let me begin by saying that I am watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.  Sometimes I wonder how these movies are so addicting and then I remember that HP is amazing.

So it's the new year.  Today is 1/11/11.  Which means that in ten short months it will be 11/11/11!!

Anyways, Happy New Year!! I'm not setting too many resolutions.  Mainly I want to pass Medical School and live healthier.  I think those are manageable. 

School is a little crazy right now.  The whole block testing deal was okay, but it's leaving me exhausted.  It seems that all I have time for anymore is studying!! Hopefully that will mean that in the long run, I will know everything that I need for the boards, but at this point I kind of wish it was Spring Break.  And that's not for another 8 and 1/2 weeks.  I'm not counting down or anything. 

The worst of all right now is the cardiac physiology that we're learning.  I knew that it was going to be difficult.  However, it's crazy!  There are so many things going on at once, in less than a one second interval.  Bah!  Who knew that three ions could be doing three different things and some electric impulses would be going on as well as the physical mechanics? Well, the notes hadn't been helping too much.  I can understand them, but they're hard to follow!  And of course, the phys professors told us not to worry about buying the "required" book for the class.  Which brings me to my (strange) title of this blog entry.

I have some other science books besides the ones that I need for medical school.  I.e. "important" books from my undergrad with very interesting titles such as Biology, Developmental Biology and even Cellular and Molecular Biology.  So one book I have is from my "Uncle," who works for a medial publishing company (it's and Anatomy and Physiology book).  I looked at the cardiac part, and it wasn't great.  So I pulled out my Human Physiology book from undergrad.  Everyone else in undergrad had just a Physiology book (including animals), but George Schulte didn't like it, so he required this Human Phys book.  I looked in it, and the cardiac cycle made sense!  So, even though Schulte was a little crazy and his class a little random...the book is great.  So thanks, Schulte! I knew I'd get something good out of that class!!

Haha so now everyone can see how exhilerating my life is, when a book from undergrad excites me.  

The other exciting thing right now is that Kirksville got like 8 inches of snow yesterday!! It's so pretty.  If only K-vegas would remember how to clean the streets...

Here's some of what we need to know for phys right now...only it's missing the ions. 

Quarter 2!

Quarter 2 just began today.  I think that it's going to be good.

I've got my study skills in order and (although there will be adjustments) feel like they will work pretty good.  At least I hope so!

I don't have a lot more to say, but I haven't checked in for a while...so there's the short update.

As a side note,  there was this movie that just came out.  It was pretty awesome.  Here's the picture for those of you who may not be able to figure it out!

Let's just say that it was AMAZING.  And now I can't wait for July.   

Utter Amazement

Today I went to my little's house to have brunch with our APO family.  Unfortunately, this meant that I was unable to attend Mass this morning, because brunch was at 11.  Normally, when I head to brunch at my little's I go to Saturday night Mass.  However, my brother ended up coming up and we went to a concert over at Truman (which was really great, btw).  

Well anyways, I know how I get if I don't attend Mass, and I'm already a little stressed, so with two weeks of craziness coming up I headed over to the Newman to try and destress a little.  I'm a little weary of the Newman Center sometimes, but it ending up being a blessing.

The readings were focused on life after death, but the homily focused on living a full and meaningful life so that one can reach their eternal reward.  The main point was that we should have an "attitude of utter amazment about the value of life."  Father discussed about how the value of life is so high because it's filled with God's love for us and how he wants us to share our value with one another.  If we can do this, then we can live as true Christians who put their God before anything else.  

The scientist in me also thought about this statement.  For each topic in anatomy class we start with the embryology on the subject.  With each embryology lecture comes lists of anomolies from development.  The fact that I developed and was born a healthy baby really is amazing.  God knows the inner workings of everyone and he obviously has great plans for everyone.  This is one thing that I can work on, and give thanks that God has gotten me this far, especially with the struggles that I have had in my past.

I just think this was an excellent point to make.  I don't really stop to think about the value of life ever.  I do try and live my life as a Christian but if I'm not putting any true effort behind it, does it really count?  Until today, I had never really thought about that.  For right now, I'm not really going out into the world to help others.  But I am learning a profession where my day to day tasks will involve helping others.  If I can apply my best efforts to this, than I think the utmost satisfaction will come from my career choice.

I think that for the next two weeks I'm just going to have to think about the value of God in my life to try and stay sane.  Advent starts in a few weeks and that is the perfect time to revamp my life.  But why not start the change now?

The Tiny Whispering Sound

It's been a while again since I've been on here.  My life has been a little bit hectic these past weeks, mainly due to the fact that we're currently in the middle of six tests.  Five of which are in difficult subjects.  So naturally I've been studying.

Today, however, I came to the realization that I really am going to be a doctor.  I mean, I knew this coming in and such.  And let's be honest, I'm super excited to be able to call myself "Dr. Majchrzak."  (Sorry, Pops, you won't be the only one anymore...)

But today I was checking up on a nervous system powerpoint for my anatomy class, seeing as how I'm not so good at that nervous system stuff.  While getting to the anatomy website, I was looking at the classes for the quarters yet to come.  There are six more after this one, and I know that there is a lot of hard work to come and all, but really, in less than two years I will actually go out on rotations and be less of a pretend doctor and more of a real doctor.  We've been doing some "real" doctor things recently, like learning how to do abdominal and chest exams, etc.  But just on each other.  So, once we get to real patients then it'll be like a real doctor?  Or something...

And then I got to really thinking.  Being a doctor is more than just calling yourself a doctor.  I'm going to have the power to really help people.  I don't want to be the doctor who has her nose up in the air all of the time.  I really want to be at the same level as my patients.  In some ways, this will be easy.  I mean, I think I'm going to head into the field of Pediatrics.  Of course, I have the interests (and maturity) of about a five year old.  I think that this will be good.  Because what five year old doesn't love disney movies?  Then again, I also will want to give them the best care that I can while respecting their parents wishes.  This is going to be a struggle, because often times parents don't want to listen, but I think that it will be something I come to love.

However, I think for my strength to stay up, I need to work on my spiritual strength.  In the past few weeks I've really been focused on my studies and not been so worried about my faith.  I've been in this stage of life before, but under different circumstances.  And I know that it's not a good place.  So my new challange is going to be incorporating my faith life into my everyday life.  Often I look for God in big places.  I want Him to give me that good grade on a test or allow me to have a good day.  And then when I least expect it, for instance, if I'm having a bad day, then some person will say something to me to brighten my day.  Obviously that's God knowing that I need an extra push or smile or something.  I just don't always see it.  

I'm going to try and see this in my life.  Just like this Bible passage, which happens to be one of my favorites:

Then the LORD said, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.

1 Kings 19: 11-12

It's been a while...

My oh my.  It's been quite some time since I've been here!!

I think I have a favorite part of my life right now.  It's a guy.  Here's his picture:

 

I know he's not a person.  But my (now four month) kitten is pretty much awesome.  Sure, he may bite at my fingers, toes and face.  He also might like to attack me.  Either way, I love little Raphael.  He's super cute when he sleeps - which is right above my head.  Literally.  He sleep on the top half of my pillow.  It actually keeps my head nice and warm.

The practically only other thing going on in my life right now is medical school.  Seriously, it takes up all of my time.  Today is a Saturday.  In undergrad, that would have been spent "doing" homework.  Which meant going to Wal*Mart, Payless, Hastings and watching some television.  Now, I really do work.  I started studying at 11.  I just stopped at 11.  I took an hour and a half break to go to church and eat dinner.  And I had a 30 minute power nap in the middle.  So that comes to 10 hours of studying.  Add that up with the 3 I did yesterday, and that's 13.  For one subject.  Which is currently the bane of my existance:  ANATOMY.  

I don't mean to complain though.  I really am enjoying myself.  For instance, OMM class (Manipulations) is really interesting.  I like to see how everything is interconnected.  Recently I have been able to find transverse processes by myself.  This is a big deal.  They're extrememly difficult to find.  I also enjoy my class called The Complete DOctor.  Get it?  I'm going to be a D.O.  I know, they're so clever at KCOM.  We got to go into the Kirksville schools and do physicals on the students.  I actually felt like a doctor then.  

Here's from my white coat ceremony, to prove that I am (kind of) a doctor.  Or at least a 6-week doctor, as that's how many weeks of class we've had.

 

It was bright, so I'm all squinty looking.  The picture doesn't lie though.  You can also see some other new student doctors in the background.  That's what we introduce ourselves as - student doctors.  It seems a little ridiculous to me, but it's cool.  It's gets us a discount at the hospital cafeteria.

School is really pretty hectic though.  Our class schedule changes everyday, which is nice because it's like being surprised everyday.  If we have a test, it's at 8 in the morning.  I enjoy this, because then it's finished and out of the way.  Also, all of our tests (not practicals) are multiple choice, so we get our scores by the end of the day.  That's actually a little nerve-wracking, because they put the tests in our little school mailboxes, and then everyone rushes to get their scores.  Fortunately, I'm not failing out yet, so it's not too bad of a deal for me.  We'll see after this test tomorrow.  

Sadly, I don't have much else to say right now.  My life is pretty boring.  I get up, go to school, maybe work-out, come home and study, only to do it all the next day.  I look forward to sleeping in on the weekends.  Which is now apparently like 9 o'clock - because I go to sleep so early!  I guess that makes me an adult?  Or maybe just a crazy kid...

I do wish I had more time to post up about my life.  I guess my life just isn't interesting right now.  I'm excited to get to the next few weeks when we learn how to give shots and take blood and do physicals.  That is the real doctor stuff.  So I hope to have some more updates in the coming weeks.  We also start doing some treatments in OMM.  That is the stuff my mom is most excited about.  She really wants me to align her spine.  Maybe I'll be able to do some Kirksville Crunching on her in a few months.  That'll really get those vertebrae in place.  (The "Kirksville Crunch" is a technique that we use to align thoracic vertebrae.  I had a DO do it to me, it is pretty amazing.)  So I guess if anyone out there wants to get aligned just give me a ring?  I won't charge you, just your insurance...haha  or not.  They keep teaching us about medical insurance.  Believe me, there are all kinds of restrictions.   It's crazy!!  

Well, I'm going to sign off here, because Raphael is sitting on my pillows and shoulder eating my hair.  That's definitely a problem...

Ready for School

Well, here we are.  One day to the start of Medical School.  I’ve been waiting my whole life (or most of it) for this day.  So it all is beginning to seem a little bit scarier. 

I know that I’m ready, but now I’m getting nervous!!  It’s an excited 

nervous…but still.  I don’t really like being anxious, and so I wish it was Friday already, because then all of those butterflies would be gone!

Either way, I have a few things to do still.  I would like to go to the library and check out a book to read in my (not so) free time, but I’m waiting for Mockingjay, the new Hunger Games book, to come out, which is next week!  It’s getting mailed to my house, but then my wonderful mother is going to mail it up here!! Yay!! I’m super excited!!

The other excitement in my life right now is my kitten.  He’s really, really cute.  And his name is Raphael.  Raphael the Archangel is the Patron Saint of Medicine, so I thought that was appropriate for the occasion.  Also, his nickname is now Raffy.  Which is also cute.  My brother initially wanted to name him Tiger Face Killer, or TFK, but I said no.  It was way to long and complicated.  But I’m sure that my goofy brother will still call him that.  Whatever.  It’s not his name. 

So I’ve got some new things in my life:  new school, new kitten and new roommate.  My roommate’s name is Ali and she seems really nice.  She just moved in Wednesday.  So her stuff is all over, like mine was a few days ago.  But either way, I’m glad to have a roommate.  I really don’t like living by myself.  In fact, I’ve never really enjoyed being by myself.  That was true even when I was finally okayed to do it by my parents.  I just like people, I always have.  Maybe eventually I’ll live by myself, but for now I’m happy to have a roommate. 

We finally got our class schedules and syllabi.  Everything is going to be so intense.  Most weeks I have two or more tests, and if not I at least have a quiz.  Everyday we have anatomy, biochemistry and histology, whether it is in class or lab form.  It appears that three times a week we have OTM lab, which of course my mother is the most excited about, because she wants her back aligned and such.  I told her it’s going to be a while before I can do that, but she’s ready and willing to wait.  But anyway, we have like 21 hours of class per semester.  KCOM has more credit hours than any medical school in the United States.  So I guess even though I’m going to be super busy I’ll learn extra? 

I’m enjoying tonight and tomorrow night though.  These are my last holdouts before I’ve got to go back to the real world.  Honestly, I’ve had nothing but time since I graduated, but it feels like the seven months went so quickly!  Since I’ve been up in Kirksville though, I’ve watched a couple of my favorite movies and just been relaxing and trying to get my room together, which is almost finished.  I just need to hang some pictures up and I’ll be finished!! 

It’s time to sign off though.  I’m currently watching Cinderella, the Disney one, and my favorite part is coming up.  (The part where Cinderella gets her old rags turned into a beautiful gown.)

“No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish, will come true.” 

Apparently it is August 11th.

Well well well.  Today I just realized that it's August 11th.  And that I move on 14th.  At the latest.  

Then I had this realization while I was driving that I'm going to really have to be an adult in a week and a half.  Eek!  I also haven't taken a test in a few weeks.  Or months.  I have done some random studying here and there, but all in all I'm out of the school mindset.  However, I do think this is going to be a good thing in the long run.  My mind is completely rested and I'm actually caught up on sleep so I think that I'm just going to jump gung-ho into med school.  Where I'm going to have to study.  A lot.

The other thing that I've been thinking about is how nervous I am!  I mean from reading on our facebook group a lot of my classmates have experience as EMT's, Medical Assistants, etc.  I have hospital experience, but I can't start an IV or anything like that.  I'm sure that there will be other people who have little or no experience, but I hate to start out behind everyone else.  But, I've decided that I'm going to just go in with an open and optimistic mind and that I'll get through no problem.  And I'm sure that the school is prepared for people who have no experience, I mean isn't that the point of our training and paying lots of money to go to school?

Despite my jitters and nerves though, I know that I have support coming from all over.  I really have a great family and great friends, so I'll definitely be watched over.  And I am truly thankful for that.  I'm sure that these feelings are normal and I am also sure that I will be ready when school starts.  

Which is August 20th!

You gotta have heart!

Recently, I've been a little down in the dumps.  My family being here was a little overwhelming and I'm just trying to get through work.  (I only have a few weeks left!) 

I'm thinking that going away again will help some of this out.  I love my parents, but after having to mostly rely on them for the first few months of the year and then still being home since then, I'm ready to move back to school.  

I also had to cut back on my exercise regiment a little bit.  After gradually starting to increase my lap numbers/strength training in the pool, I noticed that my ankle was giving me some grief.  After some intense motrin regimentation we've come to the conclusion that I probably tweaked some ligament or tendon in the ankle, and since I do not (physically) remember how my foot should feel anymore, this is not surprising.  Apparently my exercise really does help me.  It not only was/is keeping me healthy, but it does that little thing known as giving endorphins.  They really do help!  I promise!

Here's my plan for the next few days:

1)  Re-start swimming and get ankle to feeling better.

2)  Get together a final "here's what I need for school" list.

3)  Get room clean again.

I think that these things can definitely be managed.  I think that I just forgot that I "gotta have heart."  And I'm positive that they will help me!  I just need to smile.

Smile, though your heart is aching,

Smile, even though it's breaking.

When there are clouds in the sky-

You'll get by.

If you smile through your fear and sorrow,

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through

For you.

Light up your face with gladness,

Hide every trace of sadness.

Although a tear may be ever so near,

That's the time you must keep on trying,

Smile, what's the use of crying?

You'll find that life is still worthwhile,

If you just smile

~Charlie Chaplin

Waiting for life.

It's been a while since I've updated this dealio.  So here we go.

The family came and went.  That was a crazy week and a half.  You know that saying "It's great to see the cousins go, but it's better to see the family leave?"  Well, I'm not sure that it's entirely true, but I think there's a point to that.  For ten days we had a variety of people in and out of our house.  Which was fun.  Of course we ate horribly for the whole week, which was not so fun.  But, I did get to see my youngest cousin (he's 8) who I haven't seen in a few years, and it's neat to see him now, because he's like a real little person.  And he's as sharp as a knife, which made him very whitty and entertaining.

Beyond actually seeing them, we did get to do some fun things.  We had the actual reunion, which was crazy.  It also taught me how important my dental hygiene is, as many of my family are missing teeth.  We also went shopping, to see that new Twilight movie and bowling.  It was a lot of craziness.  Oh and we had Ted Drewes' pretty much every night.  That's not healthy.

After the family left I've just kind of been relaxing around St. Louis.  I'm working, but I kind of have been giving away shifts left and right, because I hate my job right now.  Actually, I think I've mentionned this before...but it's most of the people, not the job.  I enjoy most of the patients and most of the work.  The idiots who don't know what they're doing and complain about little things like lunch time or why they have to work in a certain location are the ones that I hate.  There will be people that I miss.  And I'm going to visit them.  The others, not so much.

I'm very much ready for school right now.  I've been hitting up my Netter's Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards hard recently, and I'm getting more and more excited about starting school.  I was with one of my friends last night who is going to school with me in the fall and we both had the same conclusion:  that school needs to start soon.  I like being home and doing nothing/slaving away at my workplace, but I'm ready to start up again, and I guess it'll be a little bit like being an adult.  We were talking about how busy we are going to be and how we aren't going to get any sleep.  However, I've decided that I'm ready.  I often do well on little sleep.  So medical school, Bring It.

That's pretty much it right now.   I'm just biding my time.  I've got a little bit of shopping to do here and there, but other than that, I'm just waiting.  Waiting for school, waiting to move out and waiting for life to begin.

Schlueters

Well.  I've got family coming in starting tomorrow.  

We're having the big old family reunion on Saturday.  I mean there's going to be 80+ people there, most of whom I do not know.  This should be interesting.  And the heat's not going to help.

My mom's one of six and is the 27th of 28 cousins.  Wow.  Her oldest cousin is 71 and has great-grandchildren.  So one can see that the numbers are big.  And what's scary is that we all look alike.  So I guess if one was to come by Pavilion 2 in Forest Park on Saturday, you'd be able to see my scary cult-like family.  But I would definitely advise against it.

The other fun to add to the situation is that there will be at one point or another, an extra 9 people in my house.  That's a lot of extra people.  My mom recently bought a new bed, for my room when I'm gone, and she's just going to set it up in the front room.  No big.  I'd be scared to sleep up there anyways.  

So, I hope that I don't get overstimulated or anything.  Here's to family.