semester2

01 Semester
19 weeks
30 quizzes
31 exams (including finals)
01 Community Project
01 OSCE
01 Practical

Friday!

The best way to start a Friday before class in the middle of finals

Almost another semester done!

As I sit on my bed eating yogurt and fruit at midnight studying for a cumulative final in pharmacology, I find myself smiling for some odd reason. Since August, I have been a bowl of emotions that I cannot even describe. I have been nervous when starting, meeting new people and even felt nausea walking into exams. I have been hysterical, joyous for passing when I thought I failed and devastated/numb when I really do fail. I have been sad, I have been overwhelmed and I have been humbled.

Overall, the last semesters at Western University Health Sciences have helped me grow as an individual professionally and personally. Today, in class we calculated how many people were accepted into our class in comparison to the applicants. We were the lucky 5% that got a seat in the class of 2014. Although, it has been a struggle and I've wanted to throw in the towel more than once, I am thankful and excited to start rotations soon. I have received so much support in this journey and words will never be able to express my gratitude. I will express it when the day comes to enter the community as a PA and I will promise to be one kick-ass PA.

We have received our clinical rotations track after ranking 113 tracks and it is all coming together.

Picture below, is Erica and Nina heading out for there last POP/OSCE..for now.

Study Break

My mom's view of California is Little Saigon in Westminster, CA. All she wants to do is go look at all the dehydrate varieties, teas, food and buy knick knacks. But the California I love is different. It was nice to show her the beauties of California through my eyes. My favorite place in LA: Griffith Park.

We went on a "short" hike to the Hollywood sign and back to the observatory. My favorite part of hiking is feeling irrelevant in this world. No matter what is going on in life, once you start following what seems to be a never-ending trail, you realize how small you really are in comparison to the world. Just got to keep moving forward and eventually, get to your destination. We got lost getting to the car, had to go over some extra hills but eventually got there.

surreal

I can't believe the time has come to start planning my clinical rotations. Not too long ago, my family came down for white coat ceremony. I remember freaking out about learning how to take blood pressure, web camming with my study buddy and taking my first finals. Now, it is time to enter the workfield and use my new skills. Today, I will test them out doing sports physical screenings at a school. I don't even know how to do one...I guess I will have to fake it until I make it.

The future is unknown and it is scary but exciting at the same.

PA year 2 is just around the corner. Definitely been a memorable 2013 so far.

FU-GU

Genitourinary and endocrine system you are finished!!! The kidneys are pretty amazing at how they filter components through your body.

Fun fact: you don't get symptoms of renal failure until 70% of your kidneys are gone. That means you can pretty much survive with a partial of one kidney!!!

It was very difficult adult medicine exam today but the highlight would be picking up a pair of boxing gloves and [attempt] beat the crap out of the bag today. It got a couple shots at me especially when I had to knee it. First time in awhile I pushed myself to puking status. Well, the studying doesn't end...quiz tomorrow in Pediatrics.

Just a few more weeks....

Semi- homestretch

There is about four weeks of this second semester left and I cannot believe how fast time has flown by. This past school year has definitely been a time in my life that will stand out beyond the rest.. for now. Besides all the knowledge of the human body, diagnoses, symptoms, and treatments, I have learned immensely about myself. I've learned to sit back, enjoy the loops, turns, upside down and drops of the rollercoaster because eventually, it will stop and you will hop off. There is no knowing the future but just trying to stomach all the turns as best as you can. Learn, laugh, and love everything you do, even if the week is full of exams, quizzes, papers and the stars aren't lining up. That's what I have learned this year. Stay positive, look forward.

TLB out!