Since I update rather infrequently, I’ve begun diligently recording every xanga idea that momentarily materializes within the ebb and flow of my consciousness.  However, as I review these topics, I realize my limitations (in time and vocabulary) in properly verbalizing these ideas.  So, for the most part, you may see quite a few of the “random musings,” as advertised in my xanga heading.  Perhaps I’ll keep some of the “profound thoughts” (and I use that term loosely) on the list of ideas and save them for a day with little else to update on.

There should be quite a few of those days as we have just entered our final monstrous block of first year: Body and Disease, an amalgam of microbiology, immunology, pathology, and pharmacology (with maybe a little hepatoduodenoboutrosboutrosgaliology… ok, maybe not).  Despite its formidable length (will take us to July 1), this course will form the foundation of our medical careers.  As we continue to learn throughout our lives, this course will remain the common ground to that higher knowledge.  This course will likely be the most important in our careers… no pressure.  Hopefully after finishing the course, I can answer questions posed to me over the weekend, such as “Can you get a urinary tract infection by holding it in?” and “Are my lymph nodes swollen?”  (Side note to those who posed the questions: I’m not complaining.  I enjoy testing my education by answering questions on these matters, but please be aware of my profound gaps in knowledge.)  Speaking of this weekend, I spent my last completely free weekend and my $200 flight voucher to visit my friends from undergrad.  (This statement is a bit unnecessary since those of you who read this are likely well aware of the fact.  So really that was for all the e-stalkers out there.  Hope you enjoy the entries!)  Anyways, it was great seeing those crazy folk since I haven’t visited for months.  Sure, I stopped by on my way to the airport during Thanksgiving and winter break, but it wasn’t enough to relive my nerdy (sorry, nerdier) college days.

While waiting in various airports, I read the book I had been given during physical exam week, What Patients Taught Me.  It was written by Audrey Young, a UC-Berkeley grad who went to U of Washington for medical school.  She describes her experiences rotating at rural hospitals and health centers as well as in Swaziland.  Initially, the book frustrated me as the prose curiously oscillated between wonderfully descriptive and harshly concise.  Still, I trudged through and the writing either improved, or I grew accustomed to it as I began to relate to the characters.  (Yes, and I realize my writing is no better – that last sentence is a prime example of peculiar grammar and punctuation.)

So, as I have not yet purchased the texts for Body and Disease, I’m off to finish What Patients Taught Me.