A Celebration of Knowledge

One of the Doctors informed us during orientation that he likes to call his tests "a celebtration of knowledge." I'd like to think I would have done even better on tests in college if the professors called them a celebration of knowledge!

What are medical school tests like?
6-8 hours long
2-3 parts (biochem, histo, anatomy)
just one part is 200 questions
and another part is timed
one test every two weeks
the first test average was a 74
3 level questions
we've met a few people who admit they don't know how to study because they never had to try hard in undergrad and made A's and failed their first medschool test
during orientation, they say your StuDoc will be trying to absorb the amount of information equivalent to trying to drink from a fire hose.

This makes me cringe when I think of taking a test like that every 2 weeks! I keep finding myself saying things like "better you than me!" and "there's a reason why I'm not in medschool!"

Last test, he got sick. Sick to the point where he was coughing all night and it took him a while to go to sleep, and that was after getting home at 1am from the library. I felt so bad for him and was bringing him more medicine to the library every night. Luckily, he did well on his test and got to rest and get better over the weekend to start studying for the next test. Rule number 1: no time for getting sick!!

This week he is taking his 3rd test (I mean celebration of knowledge!) and he is showing his true colors, as in his competitiveness is coming out full fledged! Of course, he only shows this side to me. As I write this, I actually just got a text from him saying two girls just ran out of the anatomy lab bawling because they are so stressed out :( I always feel so bad for them because I know that would be me if I were in their shoes!

Everyone in med school is smart, that's how you got in. But the people that do well are the ones that know how to study and are self motivated and determined. You will also hear Doctors during orientation say how medical school is not only to learn the material, but learn how to do well under pressure, with no sleep, and be able to balance your life all for when you are an M.D.

After this test, the next one falls on my birthday! Yay!! (not!) This is supposedly the hardest test of the semester because it's the end of the first block. Awesome. All the other tests were on a Friday, but this one is on a Monday. I've heard some people say they like tests on Monday and some prefer Friday. If it's on Friday - Pro: you have the weekend to relax Con: you are studying last weeks material and what you are learning that day in class. If it's on a Monday - Pro: you have all weekend to catch up and study Con: say goodbye to fun weekends mister! Which means no celebrating my birthday for us that weekend. But don't worry, I already have a long-time-needed girls weekend planned. Good for me and gives him more time to study without feeling guilty!    Can't wait!! :)

Communication is Key

W: I'm sorry I've been falling behind on the laundry. I keep saying I'm going to do it and then I keep picking up extra shifts at work.
C: It's ok.
W: Haven't you ran out of underwear or shorts yet?
C: No, I've been getting some out of that laundry basket on the floor.
W: Ummmm, thats the pile of dirty clothes I've keep meaning to wash.
C: -pause- so that's probably why people have been giving me weird looks at school

Hahahaha, I laughed so hard at lunch today! This is what happens when it's test week and we don't communicate for a few days.

To my defense, I was in the middle of doing the laundry and took an extra shift last minute. I've been working a lot the past few days (a girl just found out she's pregnant and has been calling in sick a lot).
To his defense, this is the laundry basket that I use while I'm doing laundry and usually ends up with clean clothes that haven't been folded yet.
And to his defense, since he works out everyday he goes through athletic shorts, socks, and underwear so fast sometimes I can't keep up. I just need to go buy him more of a each.


Poor guy and poor people he sits next to at school! haha. Next time, if I put off laundry halfway through I'll be sure to put a sign on it that says "still dirty!"

And now I'm off to do our laundry!!!!! =)

Brain Food

Mr. Competitive wanted to know what he should eat the night before and morning of his tests. So we did a little research online.

Check out my new grocery list:

Salmon and Sardines - Omega-3
Spinach, black beans, and blueberries - also good antioxidants
Cranberries - reduce brain cell damage after a stroke
Folic Acid - prevents aging diseases like Parkinsons and Alzheimers
Curry - can help prevent Alzheimers
Chocolate/cacao beans- has the most antioxidants {don't tell my mother!! haha, this is an ongoing argument in our family!}
Green tea (matcha) - what Japanese monks would use for 12 hour meditation, good for memory and focus
Acai berries - protect the brain from stress, improve learning capacity
Coffee beans - good antioxidants, reduces mental decline, prevent Alzheimers
Walnuts - Vitamin E
Avocados - helps with a healthy blood flow (healthy brain)
Pomegranate Juice - good antioxidants {and my dad is cheering!}
Eggs - choline, good for memory





WebMD article
BrainReady

New Friends and Food Tidings

FACT:  SHE wants to hang out with as many people as possible and desiring to make more friends. HE is tired and just wants to relax, not spend more time with the people he's with all day.

I say "fact" because we have had arguments on more than one occasion about this and in our household it just needs to be recognized as a fact. I am constantly trying to get him to rally up a group together for dinner, a movie, or day at the lake. Right now, our friends consist of other StuDocs and topics revolve around medical school this and that. And he just wants to come home and relax with his wife. We are learning to compromise on this.

Our church recently made a posting about a Kickoff for new young couples community. I jumped and dragged my husband! Just kidding, he was excited to go too. We hate entering groups in the middle. So much, that we even hate entering an event late (in the middle) and everyone is already clicked off in groups . So when they say "kickoff" I knew we better go this week so that we are joining at the beginning and with other newcomers too. We show up to the kickoff, and let me tell you, we have never felt so welcomed. Immediately someone came up to us and introduced themselves, and before we sat down we had already met a bunch of people. And it wasn't that awkward pity "I'll come talk to you because you look lonely/pathetic" introduction, everyone was genuine and offered for us to sit with them. Never once were we by ourselves or felt out of place.  Just a reminder of how much making others feel welcome and being sincere can truly go on first impressions.

Now a little about the group.. A few things that stuck out to me - this group of 25+ married couples really take care of each other. For example, if you are sick, have surgery, a death in the family, or just had a baby the group quickly orchestrates a meal plan for you and couples volunteer to bring you food. They do this by using a website called Food Tidings. Ever heard of it? Me neither, so I checked it out. This website is a place where you can put together a calendar for people to sign up on what days to bring the family food, you put a place with what you're bringing so you don't make the family eat lasagna three nights in a row, it will have the family's address, list any food allergies, and any likes or dislikes. How cool is that? The group also throws diaper baby showers, have girls night, and guys night. I especially like the idea of the girls night because it will be the solution to our "fact" :) The group seems to be well organized in the sense that they are not all 'talk' but actually take action and are consistent.

We explained to them our situation - I may have to come alone sometimes - and they said that happens a lot.  We even met a doctor from Scott and White who is in his intern year. I'm sure we will flag them down eventually and ask them questions.

God puts friends in your life for a reason, even if it is only for a season.

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great labor day weekend! This is the first weekend we've been able to spend a whole 24 hours together. And the fact that it's a three day weekend, made it that much better. Usually our weekends are full of studying at the hospital and working on Saturdays. StuDoc had his second test on Friday, so there was minimum studying this weekend and I was fortunate enough to get the weekend off work. We drove into Austin to spend time with friends and headed to Lago Vista to celebrate my brother-in-laws birthday. The weather has been HOT to say the least. We were at 75 days at 100* or above in a year and 27 consecutive days. We broke records! As much as we hate the heat, you can't keep Texans from being competitive! It's bad to say, but I keep hoping one of these hurricanes will hit the gulf coast and give us some rain. Rain we didn't get, but wind and cooler weather we did. We have had great weather in the 70s and 80s. It's all everyone talked about and put everyone in a great mood. However, the wind brought some bad with it... Wildfires are spreading and picking up like crazy. Now that I write this (a week after labor day), we are up to 14,000 acres burned in Bastrop. Over Labor Day alone, there were fires at Bastrop, Steiner Ranch, Pflugerville, Cedar Park and Leander, Perdenales, Spicewood... all being evacuated from their homes. When we drove back on Monday, there were seperate clouds of smoke in each direction.

Here is a picture I found on the internet. This is the road you take from Austin to Bastrop. I used to drive this road when I would visit him in Nacogdoches.

I am in the middle of putting together some clothes for donations. If you would like to join in helping, you can make monetary donations to the Central Texas Fire Relief.