Manicures, Mochaccinos and Minis on Moo Cow Trail.

Yoooooooo,

So today, I wrote my first Mini (aka midterm) in medical school.
Here’s a rundown of my yesterday…

I woke up around 9, had a quick snack, did my rounds on the internet, and then hit the books!  I studied at home for the first bit, which I am usually opposed to since I think home should be where you go to decompress, not study.  However, the lazy monster attacked me, so I stayed home.  When Mark got up hours later, we had an actual breakfast, and I studied some more.

Let me be clear that when I say I “studied” the day before my exam, I really mean I reviewed certain things for the 4th or 5th time, and really focused on material that I knew I was already good at…I think confidence boosts the day before an exam are key.  This is also the same reason that I wore kitten-heels to my exam.

When my productivity started to wane at home, Mark and I headed out to campus.  We walked with our friend Katie (also a spouse) who lives next door.  We stopped by Rituals (a coffee shop nearby), and I got an iced mochaccino.  It was good…but no Starbucks…

Mark and Katie went to the activity center to play board games and watch movies, and I hit the library.  We caught the 8pm shuttle home, getting home in time to make the most delicious dinner to date before Skyping with Mark’s sister, Jocelyn.  We put the laptop at the table with us, and it was like she was there.  It felt kinda weird, but cool…like many things in life.

I had a “no-more-studying” policy from 8pm onwards.  Instead, I painted my nails, gave myself a facial, and watched an episode of Sex and the City (thanks Vanessa!  I am definitely putting your gift to good use).  For those who care, we watched the episode where Carrie and Aiden break up for the first time at Charlotte’s wedding.  A real tear-jerker.

The happy couple.....FOR NOW.......

Then, it was off to bed around 10:30, 11pm.  Exam was at 8 this morning.  I had a hard time getting to sleep, and woke up a couple of times throughout the night, but I still felt pretty rested this morning.  I uploaded some new songs onto my IPod, and then Mark walked me to Rituals (again) and bought me an Americano.  It was delicious.
He went home, and I finished the walk to campus alone.

I listed to “Any Which Way” by the Scissor Sisters, and “Electric Feel” by MGMT on the walk down to my exam, and then an acoustic version of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” that I ripped off of YouTube right before the exam (check her out…she is from Maple Ridge and amazing… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YGBLt3y-ew ).

Here is a picture of the material from the first 2 weeks that I was expected to know for this morning…(for the record….I knew it…. ;) )

Contents include: Physiology, Histology, Anatomy, Microanatomy, Microbiology, Doctor Patient Society, Integrated Medical Education, and Biochemistry.

This pile might look smaller than last weeks, but that is only because the weight of all my knowledge is weighing it down. Also, that pile does not included assigned textbook readings (which I continue not to do anyway).

My next exam is October 8th, and is cumulative, as every exam will be.  I have my Gross Anatomy Practical exam (i.e., cadaver lab practical exam) on October 11th.  However, before then, I have a wedding to attend in Winnipeg!  My going to the wedding was contingent on (a) doing well on this exam, and (b) not being trapped here by a hurricane.

I have already started my list of things to get from Staples…those hurricanes better not fuck with me…