Shiny!

So obviously, I've updated the format of the blog, now that blogger gave us all these fancy new "design templates" rather than the uber-generic previous five options. I think it's fitting!

Not much to report recently, except that this morning I actually discovered my real life schedule (mostly) for the next six weeks--I'll be starting m Ob/Gyn rotation on Labor and Delivery, doing a week of day shift and then a week of night shift. Then I'll be doing two weeks on gynecologic oncology, and two weeks in a private practice doctor's office. It's exciting to know what's coming, even as it's terrifying to have no idea what to expect on the floors. One thing I am sure of, however, is it will probably provide for multiple hilarious stories, which I promise will make me update this thing much more often.

Recap

Yesterday D and I returned from an absolutely fabulous week's vacation with my family in Florida. We had a wonderful time lazing around by the pool and on the beach, ate some good food and enjoyed some good books and good company. Now that my head has been clear of Step 1 for over a week, I also feel compelled (and capable) to write a little about that lovely experience.

So. Step 1. It's kind of a beast, but honestly I didn't feel like it was too awful. The questions that I got (they basically comprise the test out of a huge bank of different questions, so everyone's test is different) were all in all very similar to what I saw on my USMLE World question bank in terms of content and how much of a subject you saw (i.e. there was a lot of path, decent phys, little bits here and there of other things). My anatomy questions, thankfully, were pretty easy and understandable, as opposed to some nightmares I heard about from friends. There was not nearly as much micro or biochem as I expected or prepared for. I got a couple of really out there questions that I was lucky enough to know (thanks to random UWorld questions), and a few questions that were simply classified under the WTF category (but that's to be expected). I should get my score in 3-6 weeks, hoping for closer to 3 but not going to hold my breath.

I expected to be absolutely overjoyed at the end, but really it didn't sink in for about two days. If anything, the night of the exam I just felt...tired. It didn't hit me that I was done until I'd gotten to sleep in for a few days, but now I'm thoroughly enjoying my vacation. Other than our trip, I've basically just been chilling out, but now that I have a week or so before orientation for third year, I'm hoping to get some work done around the house and yard. There are a couple of closets here that are dying to be organized, and the mulch looks atrocious. Tomorrow, though, is reserved for D and I to celebrate our second anniversary! Not sure exactly what we'll be doing, but I know it will involve at least dinner and a movie, so I'll update on the exciting events later.

Sweet Nothings

So I've been enjoying my much needed vacation for a week now, and tomorrow D and I head off to join my family on a much-anticipated trip to the beach. Crossing fingers that BP hasn't completely F-ed the coastline where we're going, but looking forward to lounging by the pool and sticking my toes in the sand nonetheless.

Today was just about the most perfect day of all time--we slept in, had lunch, went shopping and found D a new swimsuit, located possibly the last remaining US team world cup soccer jersey in the entire galaxy, and I bought a cute World Cup Germany hat to keep my outrageously pale face from frying in the tropical sun. We found a birthday gift for a friend, took the dog out for ice cream, and are currently working on getting packed. All in all, it's been a glorious and relaxing day.

In other news, we are both (D especially) looking forward to the US v. England match tomorrow, but also preparing to cheer for England once the US is inevitably knocked out (though hopefully not until the quarterfinals).

What I have NOT been doing is anything whatsoever related to medicine, studying, or work. And it's been everything I knew it could be.

I'm....

FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here we go Here we go Here we go

Tomorrow's the big day. After a month and two days of essentially non-stop work, I take the boards tomorrow morning. This past week has very much felt like spinning my wheels--I took a practice test last Friday and was satisfied with my score, and ever since I've felt like I'm just sort of killing time and trying to keep information from seeping out my ears faster than what I'm reviewing. As of tomorrow afternoon I'll be free for the next month and couldn't be more excited.

On the list for the next month:

--A party Saturday night to celebrate the whole "done-ness" thing

--Vacationing in Florida for a week with family

--Road trip up to Former College Town with my friend F (who's never been, and went to college in a town where they apparently have no awesome ethnic food streets)

--Celebrating D's birthday and our 2nd wedding anniversary

17 hours (or so) and counting.