Category: Life

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How Blessed am I

Often I find myself seeing life from only one perspective, one set of eyes, one viewpoint. It is so difficult to step back and see our lives through the eyes of others. To realize our lives are not everything we think of them. That our trials and tribulations are really not as bad as we might make them out when talking to someone else.

Driving back to Memphis this past weekend, I was struck with an odd sensation. One I’ve not experienced in a long time. I really saw my life from another’s viewpoint. All of the sudden I realized how many exciting adventures I’ve had over the last three years. I realized I’ve taken so much for granted. I’ve seen so many things, visited so many places and met so many new people but have never taken a step back to enjoying the journey.

Well, on my drive back last weekend I looked out my window across the barren fields. At the beautiful sunset and the majestic views only to think, “I’ve seen this before.” Yes, I’ve seen it many times, but not because of my several trips to Memphis. No, I’ve seen it in the opening scene of many movies as the main character rides a bus across this great country. Yes, I’ve seen it setting-up the main character’s big adventure over and over. All of the sudden I realized that I am that “main character” living that “big adventure.”

As those thoughts swept over me, I was very humbled to think of all those times I was jealous of other’s lives. To think of the impatience I’ve often felt when praying or studying or just plain dreaming. I wanted so much more even while in medical school, the greatest adventure of my life so far. Yes, I found myself covetous of others dissatisfied with my life.

I have written all this to say, all of us are blessed. We live in the best country in the world. We not only have life and breath but most importantly freedom. We have everything we need to live the greatest adventure of our lives if we only allow ourselves and recognize it. Yes, I’ve had an amazing 3.5 years so far and look forward to sharing many of the amazing experiences as I recount all the blessings poured on me in the upcoming year.. So stay tuned to read about the greatest adventures of my life.

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A New Year; A New Resolution

Well, it is a new year and after successfully completing my resolution for last year, I’m shooting for another. Consistent updates to my blog. It is amazing how working ~80 hours a week makes you realize how much time is wasted in a given week. It helped me realize how so many things whittle away time in frivolous pursuits and make my new resolution for the year. Yes, I’m purposing to limit those activities and replace them with productive stuff (like writing (on this blog and other things), read non-junk stuff (sorry espn, not as many visit), etc.) I’ve had some great experiences over the last year and had many great memories. I’ve finally figured out what post-graduate training I want to do when I graduate and everything seems to be coming into a clearer focus.

The first task on my plate is for this weekend. I’m still running a really old version of Pivot and want to get it upgraded to the latest 2.1 beta. I’m using 2.0 on some other sites and really like what I see. Now for the hard part in upgrading my blog template for 2.x series.

Otherwise, for the first time this year – I’d like to say, “Welcome!” Stay tuned for updates about to my blog about my life and where I’ve been the last two years. Lots of writing material I hope you’ll find encouraging and interesting.

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Specializing in Disappearing

Well, it has been a long, long year and one that didn’t give me much to blog about but one that will give me a great story to tell. I’ve sorta disappeared this past year and it has been a good thing in getting thing done. I’ll be posting more often now that I’m in my 3rd year and have gotten other things worked out. I’ve started a new website since I’ve had some downtime with some great contributors. Check it out, I called it Galloping Galapagos. Anyway, starting my OB/Gyn rotation so I look forward to learning in a great environment here at UT Medical Center in Knoxville. More about my weird year later

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The tractor is on fire!

Yes, if you want to get someone’s attention run into the house and calmly state like my dad, “Come quick! The tractor is on fire!” I know he said something other then that, but all I remember is “the tractor is on fire!”

One of the things I was able to do at ODS last month was fire fighting training. I never thought I would use it so soon though. It really proved useful knowing what type of fire it was and how to fight it. Only problem was we didn’t have enough of the right fire extinguisher. I would highly suggest everyone take some time this weekend and get their fire extinguishers charged and make sure you have the right ones. Anyway, I posted some pictures and a slide show of the little tractor that couldn’t any more.

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5 weeks

What can happen in 5 weeks? In my case, I spent the last 5 weeks at Navy Officer Development School (ODS). It was very similar to the time I spent at Maxwell Air Force base when I was in Civil Air Patrol. I don’t know how to explain my time there other then a very regimented schedule with very little personal time built in. There was always something to do and if you were creative you could make some. I was able to fit in my 5 week a deep sea fishing trip, visiting the RI National Guard Air Show and visiting the Tall Ships in Newport. At the air show, I was taken to the VIP tent of the Blue Angels/Navy and had a great seat for the show. I’ll post some pics later and more info. But, I’m back if anyone wants to talk or e-mail, I can set my own schedule and I can wear a watch and use my cell phone anytime I want 🙂

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Studying

Just so you know I’m still around, I’m just a bit disconnected right now through the end May. Have a 60 question “Assessment” (i.e. combined quiz in all four of the classes) tomorrow and another one a week from Monday or the 21st. Then two weeks (29th) from next Tuesday we have our first block exam of the second year (200 question, four hours to complete it). After that, then I can start thinking about the summer. Until then must learn – Amoxicillin, Pipercillin, Imipenem and many more.

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Last week

Brief post today. This week is the last week of block classes for my M1 year only 2 and 1/2 weeks left. Gotta hit the books!

Hum, just noticed something weird with my archives, all my old posts have the wrong year. Oh well, no time to figure out why.

Anyway, I was going to say something about school, but forgot what I was going to say. Hope that doesn’t happen next week during exams. Maybe I’ll post my physiology groups powerpoint after all presentations Thursday, only problem is next years class isn’t allow to look at it since it would be an honor code violation for them to look at it I’ll have to check with my group but ya’ll might find it interesting plus I really think the PPT looks cool. Maybe if I remove the conclusions. . .

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Friendly Advice

If you ever need to get a Hep B vaccination make sure you don’t do it right after you spend a day with your preceptor. Two weeks ago, after spending the day with my preceptor and seeing several patients with the flu and colds, the next day I got the last shot in the Hep B vaccination series. Didn’t think anything about it until Sunday morning when I woke-up with the flu. To compound things, I drove home for my mother’s birthday that weekend and wasn’t in any condition to drive back until the following week. At that point I didn’t want to miss a day of studying so I waited until yesterday to drive back (only two lectures that day).

Definitely made for an interesting first week of the block. Now to catchup on all of this weeks material after getting a slow start last week.

Good thing spring break is just a week away (extra week to study without classes).

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Ten more weeks . . .

Yes, it’s hard to believe that in 10 weeks (including spring break) I’ll be done with my first year in medical school. Only one block left before we start our second year the 3rd week of April. Time has flown by. It’s really hard to believe. But that’s life in medical school.

This past week was spent taking exams, er, I should say this past week was spent study intermixed with 3 exams. Waking up this morning I felt like I should be studying or something. I felt like I wasn’t doing something right. Like I was getting behind. But no, not this morning.

I still woke up before 6am, but I slept in. Yep, I slept in until 5:20ish. It was really nice getting 8 hours of sleep and not having to study from 4am to 9pm. In a way, however, I really enjoy the studying. Yes, there is a disconnect with reality living like this; but, I’m not in reality right now. I’m in medical school. My purpose it to become a Doctor and that is what I’m doing. In 3 year, 3 months maybe I’ll get back to reality.

Oh wait, that is when I get to start residency. I guess I need to be catching up on life or something like that now.

Well, back to cleaning the Apartment and then to a friends house to play some games.

I’ll be posting more about life in medical school later.

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Tidbits . . .

Almost every lecture has an interesting tidbit of information. For instance, yesterday I learned two interesting tidbits. First, I learned that grapefruit juice can enhance the effect of certain drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 (it does this by blocking the enzyme allowing more of the prescription drug to stay in circulation). Therefore, as future Doctors, we should keep this in mind and talk to patients about drinking grapefruit juice while taking prescription drugs metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme (over half of all prescription drugs today are metabolized by it). The other tidbit was on the lighter side . . .

Study tip: Turn off TV while you work

How not to study