work.

Last night at work, I was assisting a lady with dementia. Usually she's lucid enough to have a conversation, so I thought I'd strike one up about her past career as a nurse.

She said she worked just around the corner - she isn't even from my town - and was going to tell me how much she loved it when... she started to ramble about Christmas oranges.

I think of all the people I've met, all the people I will meet, and I can't help but think that I'll be overflowing with stories by the time I'm a senior. But sometimes, life is cruel and takes away those memories. I can't image what it would be like to have helped so many people in their sickest times, yet not being able to remember a single moment.

D.

merry christmas!

Cheers for the good 'ol holiday season: eating too much, staying up too late, giving gifts, opening presents, and so on. My favorite time of year!

But now it's the 28th and there is not one Christmas song left on the radio, the malls are packed beyond belief, and I even saw some Valentines Day merchandise put on the shelves already... slow down, people! Christmas comes ONCE A YEAR. I wish we could make it last longer.

I got a pile of books for Christmas, so I'm happily reading through those. But when I'm not reading, I'm working - which seems to be taking up too much of my time lately. Maybe more on that later...

I finally finished Shantaram, which was a 900+ pg whopper. It's an epic story about a man who escapes from an Australian prison and winds up in India. The book is about the relationships he makes - with friends and enemies - and how he reinvents himself as an Indian. I'm happy to be finished with it - it took SO long to get finished, seeing how school dominated all my free time. But it was well-worth the perseverance! The ending was marvelous.

Now I'm on to the Christmas book collection: I've started to read 'Where There is Love, There is God', by Mother Theresa, which is very moving. I'm sure I'll find countless gems of wisdom in her story.

Besides the reading, I'm just soaking up the relaxing time at home. School begins again in about a week, and before I know it I'll be wishing for extra reading time. I'm definitely going to enjoy these last few days of peace before the craziness begins again!

D.

3 down, 2 to go!

Almost through my finals! So far, so good. No breakdowns, all-nighters, or hysterics. Just a lot of coffee and a pack of Swedish Berries! I'm in the home-stretch now.

Physiology was a good as it could be: the prof gave us a good study guideline, but there are always those "surprise" questions that make you kick yourself for not reading that one chapter over again.

Microbiology: Girls were crying afterwards. Enough said!

Communication: Despite the content seeming basic enough, it's a struggle to get a good mark! I'm sure the teacher just refuses to give out A's.... But the final went really well, so fingers crossed! Perhaps the holidays will make her feel generous.

I think I must be in zombie-studying mode. Wake. Eat. Study. Eat. Study. Sleep. Repeat. While I was writing my final this morning, I looked down and realized that my shirt was on backwards. And that I downed a huge glass of water and 2 coffees before sitting down, sans bathroom break. I suppose all basic functions go out the window during final time!

There is a day off before my next two finals, so only one more crammed studying day until I am officially in second year! WAHOOO!

Cheers,

D.

break time!

I am taking a break from my day of studying to write a much-needed post... I've been neglecting this blog! But my first final tomorrow! I'm feeling OK about it, and with a few more hours this evening, I should be all set!

Earlier this week, I was a lucky-duck and went to go see The Canadian Tenors with the famjam. HOKEY DINAH, they were INCREDIBLE! Not only where their faces beautiful (ahem, Clifton Murray), but their voices were just superb. They sang along with the ESO, which just made it an incredible experience. Talk about a music overload! I don't think they have the fan-base they deserve - I was one of the youngest ones there! BUT, I guess that was in my favor because look at this smile:

That is Clifton Murray and myself. He is the best-looking guy I have ever met! I am not one to scream over pop-stars and wait in lines for autographs/pictures, but I did on Monday night... I'd say he was certainly worth it!

ANYWAYS. I need to keep my head out of the clouds and focus on studying!! Oh dear.

D.

december!

As I am sure many of you have said this morning, 'It's December already?!', I'll say it again: it's December already!! Where on earth did this semester go??

All my classes end this week and finals begin next Thursday. Oh man oh man - one week to cram everything in! Thankfully Micro is interesting - gangrene and flesh-eating diseases are certainly memorable. Physiology has been swell since the beginning, and well, as for the rest, we'll see what happens!!

Then year 1 will be done. Finito! Second year will certainly be exciting: first semester is all class/theory. My classes will include Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, along with two labs where we learn to catheterize and administer needles. I know, what great life skills! Ha, but I am so excited.

Then second semester is ALL CLINICAL! It's divided into three 5-week rotations: adult medical/surgical, pediatric medical/surgical, and mental health. It seems a little daunting right now, but I know it will be so so good to put our learned skills into practice. Can't wait!

But for now, I must concentrate on these finals. Only two weeks of year 1 left! Yahooo!

D.