I have a cold- the entire med1 class also has this cold. I have not been sick in over a year. Stupid infectious diseases.

The test went fairly well I think (knock-on-wood). I was the first one finished (as I am always) 72 multiple choice in 45 minutes. People kept coming up to me after the test telling me how fast I was- yes yes yes I write tests fast. What can I say, multiple choice is a fast testing method.

Its 11:39PM and I'm feeling better about the exam. A couple more hours and I'll be up to speed. (Which sounds like I'm cramming, but a week of intense 8-hours-on-weekdays-15-hours-on-weekends does not a cram session make.) The comforting thing about this exam is that no one fails. Well, hardly no one- you have to put in a huge effort to fail. Please God, don't let me fail. Please don't let me be the most stupid person in my class.

my exam is in 17 hours. FUUUUUCK!

Its very strange to study in IQs because so much of my studying last year happened there. It was also a place where I was very focused on my goal of medicine- staying up late until 2 or 3, I made it through by thinking about how I needed to do really well to achieve my goal. Its so strange being there now, having achieved that goal...

Ah, studying. I'd almost forgotten what it was like- the pressure of the exam, the long days filled with panic, the awful nutrition and coffee fueled days. Its actually kind of fun :)

I'm sorry if all I do is talk about school, but that is really my life these days. Hope it is interesting and not a bunch of crap about biology like the pre-med school posts.

Also today we look at imaging techniques today- technology is amazing. There is equipment which allows you to scan someone in one plane, and then rotate the image to examine pathologies from a better angle. If a tumour was obstructed by the liver, you could scan and then move in for a closer look in all directions. And of course, there are the cute ultrasound pictures.

In reference to colon cancer:
" Upon meeting people, you would be doing them a far greater service by sticking your finger up their ass than shaking their hand."

Check out last year's medical student art show. The topic they looked at was infertility.

I have just signed a waiver for a field trip that signs off on, among others, damage from tornados, sexual assault, fungal spores, and errant gunfire. They are really all about covering their ass in med school.

Who knew med school was going to be this much fun? When I first got here I thought it would be mostly studying- but its really more like highschool. The trip reminded me a ton of high school band trips- without the geeky band part of it, and with a lot more alcohol. And without the snottiness of highschool cliques.

The weekend of the Ice Bowl...
Imagine 250 medical students from across western canada meeting in a shitty prairie town to play hockey. Now add in many kegs and hardly any sleep. I am so tired right now I am dizzy.

We started off the weekend in a bus going to brandon. And about 50 2-4s. We got to a shitty bar in Brandon and closed it down- which for me meant spending the last hour in the bathroom throwing up, and getting thrown out of the bar. I can't believe I got thrown out of a bar in Brandon. Then we drove the rest of the night to Saskatoon, and had some breakfast. A few hours of sleep later, we had dinner and tapped the kegs- went to the student bar at U of S- there is a very funny story in here about Hyde, which I will save for later- got home at 4, and then woke up at 6 to play hockey. I am a very bad hockey player. Saturday night did up 70s style and drank a lot of Tequila- oh who am i kidding, the whole weekend was spent drunk and sleep deprived. The bus ride home took a long time... and now I am here in school with a tutorial in 5 minutes that I haven't read, and a midterm on Monday. FUCK fuck fuck.

Today is the last school day of the week- most of the time, we are only in school for 4 days. Tonight we leave for Ice Bowl, a hockey tournament for all of the med students in Western Canada. We are taking a bus to Saskatoon that is filled with alcohol. Saturday night there is a social in which all of the U of M students have purchased 70s clothing (just to be different). Good times will be had. Also, some hockey will be played by me- we'll see how that goes. I look very pro in all of my gear, but seem to fall down a lot. Good thing all the padding keeps me from bruising.

And also- we are being lectured today on Comas, respiration physiology, and motor systems, and we have another gross lab to look at the Abdomen and Pelvis. Which will be good, because we have avoided talking about the liver and stomach and all of that good stuff when we have been down there. Lets hope I don't get a headache from the smell again.

Very full day. Spent the morning doing mock "clinical interviews" and learning about epidemiology (so boring- who cares about the difference between screening and case-finding). The afternoon was spent looking at our cadavers again, this time at "Head and Neck". The last time around the head was covered- it was quite a shock to see. Especially as all of their skin had been removed. One person fainted and had to be brought outside. Also found out that we have access to the room, and can go in by ourselves for extra study. Hmm- seems to be the perfect start of a low budget horror film- just me and the cadavers.

We saw our first cadaver today. It was very gross- they had removed the skin, but the muscles and tendons were preserved and had turned grey from the chemicals. The whole thing was a lot meatier than I expected- and smelled vaguely of chicken.

John Ritter died! That is shocking! He was only 54!

Its nice to see the comments up again. Last night I played hockey, and needless to say, I am a total convert. I knew I liked watching it, but playing it is twice as fun. I may join the intramural team here, despite my inexperience. Also- I was elected sports rep of our class. Yea! (It means I help out with the intramurals.) The weekend will be filled with good times- Friday night is the infamous boat cruise (are you coming Steve?) and Saturday is the funk show down at the pyramid. Please call me for good times ( not slutty bathroom wall- good times, wholesome, mennonite goodtimes.)

My life is insane- I have no time to do anything. Mostly I am studying and stuff, but there is a goodly amount of med school fun. Speaking of, I am looking for hockey skates in a ladies 10 for TONIGHT!!! Anyone?

I am now officially moved into my place, and the cooking has begun! My first adventure began this morning - "fun with crockpots". Wait for the update as to how my dinner was.

I am almost moved into my place! (Nicest place ever!) Soon I'll have all my furniture in, and I can settle in. Yesterday was my birthday, and we celebrated in style at the Kings Head. Ah, there is nothing like going to school with a hangover...