Good day

A good day in the books today.  Started with a short walk through the bush on the property here and then a wee bit of retail therapy including a trip to the supermarket to get all my favourite study food, and that has seemed to be enough to get my mind back in the right space for study again.  I am amazed how much sugar the brain requires.

Had a can of RedBull before and my heart is pounding now.  Don't think I can drink that stuff any more, or I should at least try and avoid it.  One good thing about being at Mum and Dad's is that I get a decent meal twice a day, with vegetable and everything!  I can smell the t-bone stea on the barbie right now!  I'm not generally very organised at home and aim for something semi-healthy once a day, and by that I mean if it comes in a tomato-base then that counts as a vegetable, and of course red wine counts as a fruit.

The bush walk this morning made me realise how much I miss the exercise endorphins.  Bought a pair of gaiters today so I wont get so scratched up tomorrow and can go longer.  And I look more cool too., which is very important when there is noone here to see me!  I can justify it because I am planning a hiking trip in March and have one bookde already for September.  I have a few weeks off in March (and Sep) with no work and no study, so I look forward to that one.

Studying with a view

Above are photos of my temporary study while I'm in Tasmania.  Wallabies jump by occasionally and are so cute they are distracting.

Study day

Just another study day in paradise for me today.  Pneumonia all day today (text book chapter and case study), then lab sessions and weekly tasks tomorrow I think.

A kangaroo just bounced past my window before, but its hot and dry out there today.  I'm happy to be on this side of the window today.

Holidays + Study = ???

I'm away from home right now.  I had a bit of trouble getting my work and study commitments organised before I left, but I think I have myself together now.  Had another mini-wake up-call that med cannot be taken lightly.  It's a serious business for serious contenders.  Yup, that made my life difficult for a few days, but, yes, it made me more attracted to the challenge once again.

I other non-med related news, I got a bit of fresh air and sunshine this morning on a small boat cruise on the lake - I'm away right now at Mum and Dad's.  That was lovely.  I needed it to really clear my mind before hitting the books once again.  Mum made me sushi to eat while I studied and I've taken over Dad's study.

Edit:  So, I re-read my last post and, to finish off that story, my lecturer was very understanding and has allowed me to make up for lost grades in a way be both believe is fair and equitable to myself and the other students.  Need to put my head down now and get on with it.....

Packing

Packing for my trip.  Going to the airport soon.

Started my day off poorly.  I'm not able to attend all the new compulsory lectures they have added this term.  Got a bit in trouble and lost grades, but not really sure what else I'm supposed to do.  I had a bit of a winge to my lecturer and the pre-clinical coord, so we'll see what reply I get back in the email.  Looks like I'm turning into a bit of a trouble-maker.  I'm also in dispute about my tuition fees. Geez, way to stay under the radar!  LOL - you have to laugh.

I'll let you know what I get overall for "participation" at the end of the term...

Overall, I must say I'm struggling this term.  I'm hitting road blocks all over the place.  I'm hoping just to ride it out and try to keep my overall grades above 75%.  I'll try and work harder for the remainder of the term, as I still have more than half to go, but it might be one of those terms that isn't my best performance.  Ek.

So far, not so good.

Lazy dog

My dog lying on his bed on the patch I've started to clear for the new patio extension. Note the ridiculously long lawn due to the ridiculous amount of rain fall we've had recently.

Status status

Nothing much to report here.

Get to pack today and choose my preferred seats on the plane.  Had a mini-sookie with my dog this morning, but I know he'll be in great hands with the baby-sitter/house-sitter that he adores.

I love packing to the point where I've almost got it down pat.  I like to see just how little I can pack each time - very fun challenge.  Carry-on only for me the majority of times, but I don't like to be one of those annoying people that crams in way too much into their carry-on luggage, only to find the over-head lockers haven't grown in size over the years, and that now everyone tries to condense to carry-on only to save money.  I really try and make it a rule to have some space left-over in the bag, especially on the way there.  One good thing I learnt years ago - never pack more than you an carry yourself.

I also like gear (gadgets and what-not) and mini-versions of things like shampoo.  I lie to feel everything in my bag has a purpose.  I try to make my house like that too, but even though I think I don't buy much stuff, stuff seems to accumulate none-the-less.

Got my Qi back

Finally, I've got my Qi back.  I don't understand the varying energy-levels.  It doesn't seem to be associated with any other stressors, emotions, or physical changes.  Hmm.. my interest in Chinese medicine still grows.

In practical application it means I am getting a lot of my study done today  It also meant I only slept for 8 hours last night (and feel refreshed) so I have heaps of time to do stuff today, like the laundry and a bit in the garden, inbetween the study of course! Looks like I don't have chronic fatigue after-all, although I was getting worried yesterday, self-diagnosing.  I'm my GP's worst nightmare, except for I don't go to see her.

Back to the books.  Can't believe I'm a whole day ahead!  Yay!

Australia

After just barely stomaching the 4-episode Aussie/Oprah love fest this week I am now attempting to watch Australia (the movie) again.

What is it with us Aussies so desperately clammering for Yankie attention?  I love the Americans and they make such wonderful advances in the world, but it's like they are the popular cool kids and we're the dorks in Year 7 trying to befriend them all the time.  Annoyingly following their every move, sucking up at any chance, doing a little dance to prove we're worthy.  Geez.  It's embarrassing.

Anyway, I am now watching Australia and if I try not to think about people from other countries watching it and judging us on it, then it becomes almost like an in-joke.  And it's ok then.

(2-cents warning)......Furthermore, we have stood on anyone we could to advance the economy of Australia, now it's too darn expensive (and too far away) for tourists.  Our life-style is awesome right now, but it comes with it's own flip-side - it's expensive.  And so we must lie in the bed we made.)

Difference between paramedic and medical studies

Many of my colleagues are interested to know what the difference is between their paramedic studies and studying med.  Well, apart from paramedics being focused on emergencies and pre-hospital care, if I come across an insight, like today, I will endeavour to post it.

So, I see there is a large focus on anatomy this term (respiratory).  Just now I am going over the lungs in gross anatomy.  In my paramedic degree we needed to know there were two sets of lungs, two main bronchus, the right main bronchus was larger and straighter than the left, there are 3 lobes on the right and 2 on the left, and the main bronchus branch off into smaller bronchi, bronchiols, terminal bronchioles, then alveoli.  Now in med, add on top of that the 10 segments in each lungs, their names and positions, and names of their bronchi, the oblique and horizontal fissures that separate the lobes, which blood vessels supply which parts, and so-forth. 

The other big difference is that in the past I probably would have read the same anatomy textbooks, it's just that now I know I will have to remember it for the exam if I want to pass and/or do well.  There would have been few questions on the lung segments in my paramedic degree exams.

(The above is just as an example.  I'm sure many paramedics can name all the segments.)

Sleep is good

So I've been to bed seriously early and slept as much as possible this week.  This afternoon, I almost feel well-rested again.  I'm reading through my uni notes and don't feel quite so foggy-brained as before.

I went through this about mid-way through last term for about 2 weeks.  I was struggling to keep up with the work and just did the bare minimum.  This term it's hit me on the first 2 weeks. Optimistically feeling like I'm on the tail-end of this low-energy stretch.  Thankfully too, as this term has a lot more work to accomplish bare-minimum, and there is very little scope for catching up in the following weeks if you get behind.

Ok, enough complaining. The weather is gorgeous at the moment.  It's my last day of work before hols. My house work is virtually complete and ready for my house guests. My brain is almost back up to full power.  All is good.

Back to it...

More study

Geez, when I started this blog I thought I'd have more to write about than just study.  But I guess realistically that is what I spend all my time doing.  And working.  Wow, I just realised how dull I sound.

However, I party in quality, not in quantity.  I am saving all my good times for annual leave. One more day of work to go....

I kicked off work today early with a deceased person.  Made me think I have to study all day today because it's overcast and I want to enjoy my days off in the sun, and because life is so short and I have things I want to achieve.  I also like learning about the human body - it's so friggin' fascinating.  Gimme a textbook over a novel any day.

Today on the study agenda...more TB!  And I'm reading The Lung chapter in Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease right now.  I'll move onto the weekly tasks soon (pretty much all TB) and then I'll scan through the WHO TB manual then the case study.

And, yes, I do highlight and write in my $150 textbooks....

9/10 is not good enough

I've never done anything before where scoring a 9/10 was disappointing.  I just got my weekly quiz results back and got 9/10.  I am a little relieved becasue 8/10 would have been really disappointing.  And anything below that = depressing.

And it's not just me. That's the way the lecturer feels we should be performing in lead up to the end of term exam, and then ultimately the medical licencing exams.  True - the quiz questions are what you would call "easy" compared to medical licencing exam questions, which is why we need to do so well on them. They're not what I'd call "easy" in comparision to anything else I've done before, but that is all part of the attraction to medicine.

Aiming for perfectionism is all part of the mentality I suppose.

Today's agenda - well, I'm working so I always try and refresh myself on my work guidelines (protocols) everyday and then make sure I'm up-to-date with any work related administration before I use my downtime to study medical stuff.  It's my 3 year anniversary today working for this ambulance service :) - it has gone so fast.

I have the WHO TB manual for medical students to look through, which is fantastic and helps answer a lot of the case study tasks.  I'll be keeping it on me today so if we are at the hospital, or wherever, I can flick through it. I can't help thinking about the people back in Cambodia where I've volunteered as there is a lot of TB there.  This is good as it helps me focus and realise I really need to learn this stuff as I might (will probably) need it to save someone's life some day.  That's pretty motivating.

New day, new case study

So I'm over my little sooky-sooky-la-la I had yesterday, and have started on the next case and next round of massive study load for the week.

Same-old-same-old at work but not too much longer before some leave and a nice trip away.  Have to take my laptop with me though, and wish I had all my textbooks stored electronically. Hmmm... didn't quite consider that fully until now....  I think I can cut back to just two or three just for the 10 days away.  The top of my list are;

• First Aid for the USMLE Step 1
• Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine
• Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease
• Rang and Dale Pharmacology

Might have to leave Robbins behind as it's massive but I don't really need the pharm one much yet.  Decisions, decisions.

Then I should have enough room in my check-in luggage for: camera x2 (good one and waterproof one), bikini, one change of clothes, pair hiking boots, broad-brimmed hat for all the outdoorsy stuff I intend to do, and my credit card.  Can't wait to go kayaking on the Tamar River, hiking through to Wineglass Bay, and eating Japanese by the sea at Kabuki in Swansea.

:)

Marathon effort

Considering most of my preclinical modules for med are conducted externally, I just spent 6 hours (in a row) online in a live lecture getting pimped with my other 10 classmates (and graded on my answers).  This happens once a week (usually 2-4 hours but 6 hours occasionally) and then 2 hours a week face-to-face with my mentor. this is all of course on top of a weekly case study, self-directed learning, additional readings, and online tute forums.  Oh, then there's that presentation I have to do.

It used to be just audio during the live lectures, but now it's video too (think Skype but with Powerpoint slides and a comments area), so I need to get out of my pyjamas for my 6am lectures.  I'm not a morning person, but at least it gets it out of the way.

It also doesn't help that my lecturer is a respiratory specialist and my fellow classmates are mostly nurse practitioners (1/2 way to GP already).  It makes for a very high-level of brain-power requiring class...

Ugh.

At least this all adds up to (hopefully) performing better on the exams.

I'm going to go pass-out now.

That is all.

Edit:  I forgot to mention the two quizes I have to do each week too.

Study mascot

First Post

Welcome to my new untitled blog about stuff.

I've had blogs in the past about different things but I seem to change so dynamically, I had just created a whole new one to cover anything and everything, without constraints.

So, today.  I am behind on my study and really need to stop blogging and get my assignment submitted.  It's on the respiratory system.  I also have to complete my case study on asthma and do some additional reading (a lot of additional reading), and most scarily I need to prepare for my online lecture tomorrow morning so when I get asked questions in front of the entire, very smart, class, I will have something to say other than "I'm sorry, I don't know", thus precipitating a spiral of self-doubt and self-questioning over my suitability for a career in medicine.

Anyway, I read this quote on my friends Facebook page this morning and I think it belongs to the Dalai Lama.  I love it so much I'm reposting it out to the universe.

Whether the glass is half full or half empty is actually irrelevant, the undeniable fact that the glass and its content simply IS, requires nothing more than acceptance.  And in the ever present moment of acceptance, comes a vast sense of relief as the paradigm of polarity, and indecisive judgement based on fluctuating emotion of an interpreted aspect of opinionated reasoning of individual reality shaped through a qualified education of misinformation suddenly seems less logical than the effortless acceptance of 'what is', one may start to grasp a clearer picture of 'what Isn't' and with this in mind, a mild sense of amusement can be embraced as the self becomes aware of the infinite potential of the mind within the finite structure of the body that can have infinite scenarios of experience within the finite dimensions of the Globe.