oops

so it just dawned on me that i do indeed have a blog and that I have completely forgotten about it until now... about 5 weeks after my last blog.

I currently finished my 5th quarter of school. 6 more to go. I'll be over halfway done in march, how amazing is that? The quarter ended pretty uneventfully. Although I don't have my grades yet, I'm sure I did just as well as always do.

Now all that i'm facing is 3 weeks of break. Pretty much the only thing I need to do is find volvo parts and stereo for my car after some damage due to a break in occurred. The people also stole my CD's so whoever reads this, if you could make me a few for christmas that would be great :)

I'll also be watching Josh and Dan a number of times, buying christmas presents, spending time with friends and family and going skiing a few times.

Lastly, I'm sure you'd all like to know that James and I are doing great :) Our relationship is care-free, laid-back and relaxing. I don't get to see him for the break, which i'm a little bummed about, but its not like i don't see him when we are in spokane and i've definitely learned that he's worth the wait (please think back to last year...)

that's all for now...

Ana

Halloween and Fall and Stuff

Hey Everyone,

I thought i'd post some pictures of us crazy cats goofing off. A few weekends ago we went to a corn maze and raced each other through it (to all of the stations inside and then out) and last weekend we had a HUGE halloween party, that I still think people are trying to recover from. I went as a Ghostbuster and James was the Marshmallow Man. We made our costumes for about $15 each and got a lot of great compliments on it...Hope things are well!

Ana

A Few Weeks In...

Well guys, we are on week 4 and that motivation to study is really not there. I don't know if its the fun of seeing everyone, having my boyfriend assisting me in the desire to play before studying, or simply a lack of drive that is preventing me from really buckling down... but for some reason I can't get it going.

That said, we had our first test of the quarter on Friday, and I did just as well as I always do... right around a 86% (after our prof dropped about 10 questions, bringing our grades up by 20%). The test was really hard... the class average before he added the 20% was a 66% and the high grade was an 84%... so it wasn't only hard for me, but also everyone else. The prof for the test is new, and its his first time teaching this subject, so the material and test questions are all new, written just days (or maybe hours?) before we see it in class.

I've been having a blast doing "social secretary" stuff... planning events, making everyone feel welcome, making a point to know all of the 1st year's names. We are going to a Corn Maze on Saturday that is apparently HUGE. 4.5 miles of trails at varying difficulties. It should be fun.

OK... I should get back to studying... have a test tomorrow!

beijos!

here I come!

As I get ready for bed tonight, thinking about what tomorrow holds I'm surprised by what I feel. Last year at this time I had no idea what was in store for me. I was excited, nervous, apprehensive, happy. This year, while some of those feelings are still there, I also feel some level of dread, knowing what is to come, exhaustion before it even starts, and a sense of wanting it to be over before it begins.

We met the first years tonight, and they are full of this sense of wonder and elation to learn... and I don't feel that. The spark is somewhat gone and I really just want to be a PT. I'm sure that once school gets in the swing of things I'll get back on track, but the anticipation is just killing me. I want more summer... and I don't want 10 weeks of 'really fun' school.

On the upside, I officially met my roommate and we get along just perfect! I think its going to be really fun and we've been having a blast decorating the house and making everything fun. We are fully having craft parties and movie nights, and planning when we are having guests over and stuff. I totally love it!

This quarter doesn't look too tough... we have Neuromuscular Systems, and Musculoskeletal systems where they teach us how to treat specific problems and then Exercise Phys, which is how your body responds to exercise and then a bunch of seminars, so I don't think its going to be too crazy.

alright, that's it I think... hopefully i'll do an ok job of keeping up on blogging this quarter. no promises though!

Ana

losing a friend...

This morning a man who has been very dear to my heart since I was in high school passed away. He was our associate pastor at church, and one of four men that my dad had a mens group with once a week for a couple of years. Eventually, he became much more like a father than a pastor, a confidant in, not only spiritual matters, but life lessons of patience, waiting, and trusting.

Through the years, after Scott moved to California to pursue a doctorate, we stayed in touch. Our emails weren't frequent, but they always came at just the right time. In moments of crisis, or exhaustion, severe stress and elation. Scott always had the perfect things to say, the best ways to keep me on track when life was both a high or a low (especially a low!) I still have every email that Scott ever wrote me, always with inspiring words of hope, truth and ways to persevere even when I didn't want to. I will always cherish his memories: his rendition of rainbow connection by kermit the frog at talent shows, his Richard Dahlstrom impersonation, the afternoon we spent together in california when i went down for spring break in undergrad, and many more...

While we, down here, ache with a knowledge that it will be some time before we see him again, all of heaven rejoices because one of God's beloved has return home. And I have to hold on to his words of wisdom that always were so poignant. I think one lesson he taught me, that might be useful now, in a time such as this, is that sometimes you don't feel like thanking God for what's going on, well thank Him anyways, sometimes you don't feel like singing, well sing anyways, sometimes you don't feel like praying, pray anyways, for it is in discipline that we come into the habit of going to him in every situation, and come to worship him in both the good and the bad.

Thank you, Scott, for being such a steady force in my life, for being the voice of God in a world that often times didn't resonate His will into my being, thank you that the lessons you've taught me don't leave this world when you're earthly body passes away, thank you for making me be one person of many who were touched by your incredible life.

Grace and Peace,
Ana

sorry its been so long

So I'm here in Spokane for a few days while I wait for Wednesday to come so I can move my stuff out of this apartment and into a new one. Its kinda lonely because all of my friends/roommates/everyone has gone home since our clinical internships ended on Friday. Its been a great summer in Spokane, and while I'm glad we are on official "summer break" I feel like my first summer has just ended.

My clinical ended very well, I got quite high marks on the review of my skills that my CI filled out. Additionally, they basically offered me a job when I get out of class. I'm not really interested in living in Spokane for the long term BUT, it was nice to get confirmation that I made a good enough impact on them and demonstrated proper skills, professionalism, attitude, etc. that they would want me back.

I should add in that my best friend in Spokane, James, and I decided to start dating about a week and a half ago. I'm totally thrilled about this. He has really shown amazing character through our friendship and now I'm learning who he is on a deeper level... and I'm finding a man of God who is kind hearted, strong natured, good willed, and quite handsome ;) He is totally fantastic, and I think that a lot of my "summer ending" feeling is because he left to go back home to Eagle Point, OR (near medford) and its been such an elated couple of weeks that its strange not having him around now (but that's heightened because really no one is around).

I will, however, see him on the 24th when I fly down to Medford for his best friend's wedding. I'll spend 3 full days there and see what its all about, because he feels really strongly that he's supposed to end up back there, so if this relationship is going anywhere, I should prolly spend a few days there and try to enjoy it/get to know it, his family, and his stomping grounds.

So now to go home on Thursday after moving all of my stuff into my new place. This next month I'll be painting my aunt's apartment building and any other random work that she and my mom can come up with for me. Hopefully I make enough money to make this next year a little less strenuous.

ate mais,
Ana

updates...

Hey Everyone, I know its been a while, and I'm feeling all over the place with my thoughts so i'm going to just give you all a brief overview of my last 3 weeks....

My clinical is going well. I've taken a number of histories, get to be involved in evaluation and treatment, prescribing exercises and learning a lot! My CI is incredibly knowledgeable and has been really patient with me and taught me a lot. I'm surprised at how much I get to do and how much he trusts me with things. 3 weeks have just flown by, I can't believe I only have 8 working days left.

I just got approved for my new apartment! Its on the Centennial Trail, just 2ish miles from school. Its a 2 bed 1 bath, about 900 sq ft. Really spacious and it has new pergo floors and carpet in the bedrooms. It even comes with a carport and storage space, so hopefully its big enough for a few extra boxes and some bikes too.

This should also lead you to believe that I have a new roommate... Her name is Amy, she'll be a first year PT student and I think we'll get along great. She's a christian, has a heart to serve, loves entertaining, plays the guitar, and it sounds like we're pretty compatible. She's from Marsing Idaho... close to Boise and went to U of I. Ummm... The only complicated thing is that she's been on a medical mission in Kenya for the last two weeks... so i've been running the whole finding apartment show, but its over and that's all that matters!

That's my fast rundown! Maybe i'll update this again in a few weeks ;)

Ana

mini-update

I start my clinical tomorrow... wish me luck!

summer quarter here I come...

So its been over a month since I last wrote... as pointed out by Kevin... thanks :)

The quarter ended well... didn't get the best grades, but I finished without much trouble.

I just got back from a week back in Seattle and a weekend in Entiat. It was good being home, seeing old friends and getting my mind off of life in Spokane and studying. I ran the race for the cure with Kirstin, Seyward and a few of Kirstin's friends from church. I scrapped the rust off of the back stairs at my mom's apartment building and repainted it. We went to many a graduation party, ate a lot, and had my fair share of going out with friends. I got to see Josh and Danny and on Thursday I got to help Josh with Field day at school. It was good to do anything BUT study.

Tomorrow we have our first day of our 2 week summer quarter before starting our 5 week internship. I'm both excited and scared for it. It seems that its been too long since we've been able to see patients that I almost forget what its like, even more so, its nerve wracking to think that I have to apply my knowledge to real live people. Although, I know that I'll very easily come into the groove of things without much trouble.

I also found out that I won the Zorre Dearborne Scholarship, which is for students that have demonstrated devotion to their communities. It helped that i've been volunteering with YL for special needs kids, which validated my previous work in Seattle. The scholarship is for about $1000 and I'll get it in November after a ceremony of sorts.

anyways, i should go to bed. i'll try to be a little more consistent with my blogging in the future :)

Blood Diamond's Lessons

James and I watched Blood Diamond last night and I thought it was a very sad movie, but also with a good message. I think my favorite one of it was between Solomon and his son Dia.

Dia is stolen away by rebel troops and forced to learn how to shoot, kill, be a soldier. They take his identity away, he it taught to deny his father, hate him... enough to kill him.

Although its not the main part of the story... Solomon is continuously searching for Dia. At the very end of the movie, Solomon finds himself alone in a little cove of jungle on the opposite end of a gun Dia is pointing at him. And there, in that moment, Solomon says the most poignant monologue of the movie to try to stop Dia from shooting him. He reminds him who he is.

He says: "You are dia vandi of the proud mindy tribe, you are a good boy, who loves soccer, and school. Your mother loves you so much, she waits back for you making plaintains and stew with your sister and the new baby. The cows wait for you, and baboo, the wild dog who wants no one but you. I know they made you do bad things, you are not a bad boy, I am your father who loves you and you will come home with me and you will be my son again. "

I feel like sometimes when we go so far off track it is God reminding us the same thing as we point fingers at Him, saying things that aren't true, holding on to false identities, false truths, that this world can give us more than He ever can. And it is in moments of crying out to Him. Being on the brink of turning our backs, forever He looks at us, with deep, wise, sorrowful eyes and says "You are my child. Your family loves you so much. We are waiting for you to come home, we are preparing a feast for you, and everyone is anticipating your return. I know that you've done bad things, but you are not bad. I am you Father who loves you and you will come to me, and you will be my child again."

I love how in this moment, Solomon doesn't care about anything else. Not that he has a gun pointed at him, by the one person he's been searching for. He doesn't care what Dia has done because deep inside he knows exactly who Dia is. How often do we say to God: "its no use, we will continue in our evil ways" as the Israelites did in Jeremiah. And yet God calls us back, over and over and over again.

how awesome is that.

RENT: inspiration in seemingly unethical places

Last night my friend Kevin and I went to see the musical RENT. Its a story about some people living in New York in one of the more shady parts of town. Its about love, both straight and homosexual, about life with HIV/AIDS, and how to live it fully. One song really touched me deeply and reminded me of when my bible study looked at the book of Ruth. Here are the lyrics, the song is called "I'll Cover You":

live in my house
i'll be your shelter
just pay be back with one thousand kisses
be my lover and i'll cover you

open your door
i'll be your tenant
don't got much baggage to lay at your feet
but sweet kisses i've got to spare
i'll be there and i'll cover you

i think they meant it when they said you can't buy love
now i know you can rent it and new lease you are my love one life be my life

just slip me on
i'll be your blanket
wherever whatever i'll be your coat

you'll be my king and i'll be your castle
no you'll be my queen and i'll be your moat
i think they meant it when they said you can't buy love
now i know you can rent it and new lease you are my life one life oh my life

i've longed to discover something as true as the seas
So with a thousand sweet kisses
i'll cover you
with a thousand sweet kisses
i'll cover you

when you're worn out and tired
when you're heart has expired
if you're cold and you're lonely you've got one nickel only
with a thousand sweet kisses
i'll cover you with a thousand sweet kisses
i'll cover you
oh lover i'll cover you
yeah
oh lover i'll cover you

This song really touched me... because when we were studying Ruth we read deeply into the following verse:

"Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." (Ruth 3:9)

Ruth says this to Boaz after she lays at the foot of his bed and he wakes up to see her there, spreads his blanket over her. The fact that Boaz is her kinsman-redeemer basically means that he is next in line to marry Ruth. The word in hebrew for cover is to signify shelter, or the way a hen wraps her wings around her chicks, or warmth. So when Ruth asks Boaz to spread his garment over her it means more deeply to provide her all of these things.

The song to me says the same thing... the way that love should be is a shelter. God wants to cover us, with his love, with his protection, with everything we'll ever need. And every verse means so much too: "Live in my house, I'll be your shelter", "open your door, I'll be your tenant, don't got much baggage to lay at your feet", "just slip me on, i'll be your blanket, whenever, wherever i'll be your coat", "when you're worn out and tired, when you're heart has expired, if you're cold and you're lonely you've got one nickel only"

How often does God ask us to live in His house, to let Him be our shelter. If we live with Him, we can leave all of our baggage at his feet (even if we have a lot!), we can slip him on when we need comfort from our lives, if we're cold and need something to warms us, when we're tired, when we are at the end of life, when we have no where else to go, when we are poor. He can fulfill our every need.

I guess the only major conflict to this moving song is that it was sung between Collins and Angel (his drag queen 'girlfriend'). But a good song nonetheless, and a good meaning, and a good demonstration of what love is supposed to look like.

Something to talk about...

I'm starting to feel like its been quite a while since I last wrote anything of substance here. Life's been crazy with a lot of new activities that have really taken over. So i thought i'd spend a few minutes this morning laying out what i've been up to.

First, many of you know that I started working with Capernaum, the Young Life for special needs kids in the Spokane area. We had a meeting 2 monday's ago and I had an absolute blast! We had a barbeque and played kick ball and then had a bigger or better scavenger hunt (which my group won by bringing back a car stereo... not very big... but definitely better!) The kids were awesome. We had about 25 in total, ranging from 16 to 38 years old. The 38 year old is one of those that has been coming for years and years and they don't believe in kicking people out of this community, so he's welcome to stay as a "student leader". I think one of the most interesting things is realizing HOW low functioning the kids that I used to work with are. When I think special needs kids my brain goes to thinking of kids who are non-verbal, violent at times, and need constant help with everything. We have a little bit of that here too... an autistic kid who really likes to figure out what you're afraid of so he can sneak up on you pretending to be that thing, a downs syndrome boy who likes to draw pictures of "crime" and "sinners", a little downs syndrome girl who noticed that there was a new girl and rather than introducing herself to me she snuck up behind me, yelled "BOO!" and then proceeded to give me a HUGE bear hug. They are all really precious kids... and I think with time they will grow on me just like my campers did.

Second thing: We had a really big career fair on Saturday that James and I went to. There were 50 recruiters there from all over Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. It was really wild and somewhat overwhelming. As I walked down the aisles of the room there were hoards of people who just wanted to know about me, what i was interested in, what year of school i was in, why I should go there for my clinical rotations, why they would be an excellent place to work... oh, and please take some free stuff and sign up for our raffle. I brought home A LOAD of information packets and also about 15 pens and highlighters, 3 water bottles, 3 chapsticks, a snakes and ladders board game, an athletic bag, clocks, notepads, free music on line, gum, etc. etc. I also signed up for raffles to win things like $25 to starbucks, $50 to barnes and nobel, an ipod (nano, shuffle, and one with all the bells and whistles), digital camera, etc.

It was over-all a very good experience, if nothing more than just to see what's out there, learn about scholarships for signing on with them, hearing about what job-offers are like, realizing how little I need to worry about one when I graduate, and even finding out about a lot of places that would be great choices for clinicals (as long as i don't mind going to Richland or Sedro Wooley)

I'm also playing intramural soccer and its been really fun. I get pretty sore every evening we play because its working such different muscles than i'm used to (and I get really into it so if i get mad i start to throw them elbows and kick things other than the ball). We've been playing 2x/week for 4 weeks now and tomorrow are playoffs, which i'll be missing because i'm going to see....

RENT! with my friend Kevin (aka: Flat Tire... because he likes Fat Tire and he's a cyclist). I'm really excited to go see the musical... I haven't been to one in such a long time that it will be fun to have a night out on the town!

Anyways, that's it for now! I'll try to blog more sooner rather than later!
Ana

BLOOMSDAY!

I ran in the Bloomsday race today... along with about 50,000 other people. It was really fun to get out and run. I did the 12Km course in 1:09:28... so just over a 9 minute mile pace. And I'd like to argue that I ran sub-9's for most of the course because my first two miles were super slow because of all of the people there. I'm hoping next year to do it in under and hour. That would be cool.

This week:
2 tests tomorrow
1 test Wednesday
big project due Friday

its gonna be a long haul.

New Opportunities!

I'm so excited to announce that I'm going to be volunteering for Capernaum, the Young Life program for special needs kids here in Spokane. Its going to be a complete blast. Tomorrow I meet the two leaders, Mandolyn and John (John's wife graduated from the EWU DPT program last year) and then the first meeting is this Monday. AND I think its going to be absolutely perfect because they only meet 2x a month and this way I can make sure I meet it to every meeting because it only happens twice a month and i'll have plenty of time to get stuff done on opposite weeks. The only down fall is that I'm going to have to buy a video to record a couple of episodes of 24 for the monday nights i'll be at club.

Anyways, that's it! I'm so pumped!

The Bus To Airway Heights by holly hicks

My friend Holly wrote a poem for me about my experience on the bus to Airway Heights (where James and Karen live). I must warn you... this story is kind of shocking... so if you want to read this poem aloud... maybe make sure there aren't a lot of kids around... or you might have to explain psychological disorders and drug addiction to them.

Anyways, here it goes:

The Bus to Airway Height by Holly Hicks
(based on actual events reported by Ana Thomas)

Upon the bus
One day I rode
to Karen & James'
and Fergie their toad

I sat in the front
By a mom and kid
I made a safe choice
Well, I thought I did

A voice from behind
Soon rang in my ear
A woman in black
Her ranting I hear

She raved on and on
Of time spent in jail
Her story appeared
To be quite the tale

As she walked by
Her black hood fell down
The cell phone she used
Not there to be foun'

Some girls soon replied
"Psycho Brittney Spears"
And awkward laughter
Relieved all our fears.

But once she was gone
Adventure remained
A couple meth-heads
with faces so maimed

His eyes sunken in
Her "bitter-beer face"
They staggered aboard
But stared into space

She stood with her card
But still couldn't pay
For swiping it seemed
Was too hard that day

They finally sat down
And my trip was done
The bus found my stop
And ended my fun.

The moral I'd say
Of theis po'm I wrote:
Please avoid the bus
And just take a boat.

the end.

I have to add one caveat to this poem... the "psycho britney spears" thing refers to when her hood fell down not only did she not have a phone, but her head was shaved! It was wild!

life never gets boring here in spokompton!

until another exciting adventure...
Ana

PS: if you want to know... i can also tell you a story about when there was a fight outside the bus because a guy on the bus slapped this punk kid (also on the bus) across the face for making too much noise with his cell phone. (yes, the kid was annoying... but throwing punches? lets get real...)

I'M A BOWLING PRO!

I just wanted to let you all know that last saturday we went bowling... and I bowled my first TURKEY ever... meaning I bowled 3 strikes in a row. AND THEN I beat James 158 to 154! He'll never live that one down! (ps: i'm BAN up there and James is SW)

Tenho saudades do Brasil!

Rio at night
Originally uploaded by ana.brasileira.

I'm sorry... I can't help but say that Brasil may be one of the most amazing places in the world and I want to go back so badly... even more I want to bring my friends from school there because I am in love with the place and you can't fully know me until you experience it for all its worth.

So everyone... start saving up your money because I'm starting to daydream about going and you're all invited (not to my day dream... to brasil!)

a need to focus

my brain is running everywhere. If its not about school then its about relationships, what I should plan for class activities next, how much i have to study, where i should live next year, what am i doing tonight, can i pay for it, and should i honestly run the bloomsday in a few weeks. I feel like I can't think on any one thing at any time because my brain is such a mess, and unfortunately we have a test on monday and I can't manage to focus for more than a few minutes before my brain is stolen away for other things. I feel like I need answers, but they are all elusive and God isn't the most talkative of people right now nor will I shut up about things.

i somehow need to quiet my mind and go to a place of rest...

Happy Easter!

I can't believe it has already been a month since my last blog! And here I am, Easter 2007, 1 week into spring quarter, a successful PT student as of right now. Its hard to believe its already April, hard to believe that we are 9 weeks away from having basically a third of the program under our belts. Even more unbelievable the lessons I've learned: both intellectually and emotionally, spiritually and physically.

After realizing that I wouldn't be able to spend Easter with family in Entiat, a few of us PT school folks decided to have an Easter feast of our own. Sitting around the table today I was reminded once again how very fortunate/blessed I've been this year to be surrounded by so many wonderful christians. I can't believe that God would bring such wonderful people into my life. People that I have become instantly close to, dependent on, and loved by. On the flip side though, 6 months ago I had no idea what type of blessings God would pour out upon me, now, as i'm overflowing with His goodness I become immediately sad knowing that in a year and a half we will all be split apart again.

We are picking our second clinical this quarter. People are already 'going home' in a sense, and I feel myself almost wanting to disengage, knowing that the people I have come to love so quickly will be so distant so soon. I want to live in my happy physical therapy world, where I get to see James, Kristen, Gretchen, Kevin, Ryan, Karen, Holly, and everyone else almost daily. I realized over spring break how much I love these people, and how after 3 days I miss them. How much worse will it be the end of summer 2008 when we all go our separate ways. I am going to want to be in a million places at once... and I already feel like I left part of my heart in Brasil... now I'll want to be all over the northwest too...

all in all though... how great are God's blessings, how wonderful His love, how abounding His grace, how deep His forgiving power, how little I could ever do on my own.

i love you Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship You, oh, my soul, rejoice. Take joy my King, in what You hear. May it be a sweet, sweet sound, in Your ear.

THANK YOU!!!

To my anonymous friend who just sent me an incredibly thoughtful gift in the mail:

Thank you so much for making these next few weeks less stressful and providing me with a gift that will lighten my load and give me a gift that I truly don't deserve. I feel overwhelmed with this act of love and God's grace giving me something that I shouldn't have. I don't know who you are (and i actually tried to do handwriting analysis on the envelope), but thank you thank you thank you for giving me such an unexpected gift.

-Ana

Gait Lab and a really cool injury

Yesterday I had the honor of putting on a million little electrodes and reflective balls to get my gait (walk) recorded by 6 cameras in Dr. Mizners lab. The cameras take pictures of me from different angles and then digitally puts it back together to crease a 3D image that we can use to learn about forces and the mechanics of walking. It was really cool! and I had fun doing this "once in a lifetime" experience, at least I don't THINK i'll get the chance to do it again. Maybe when we get the program i'll be able to put a clip of it on my blog.

Also, did anyone see Shaun Livingston (bball player for the Clippers) bust up his knee on Monday? It is possibly the worst injury that he could have had: snaping 3 of the 4 ligaments in his knee, dislocating his Lateral Meniscus and dislocating his kneecap. It was gruesomely awesome. Here is a picture of him laying in agony on the court with his knee all banged up. If you want to see the video of it (it will make you squirm) google Shaun Livingston injury, or go to ESPN.com and you'll be able to find it no sweat.

snow... again...

Is it possible that we are still getting snow in Spokane? I woke up with 2 inches on the ground this morning. I want it to go away... fast! and bring me some sunshine. Last week we got teased with sunshine, and you know what? I LIKED IT!

The GOAT!

just wanted to share with you some fun pictures of when Karen, Holly and I fed the goat garbage. Ryan and James came too... but they weren't as enthusiastic.

Highlight of my LIFE!

yesterday James and I, with a combined effort, BEAT DONKEY KONG (for super nintendo) !!!! AND it ended up being one of the most productive studying days we've ever had together. (we determined that we studied for 6 hours and played DK for 3)

yay us!

quick update

only 3 weeks of class left! that means our second round of midterms and test upon test coming up! But that's ok because the "hardest quarter of the program" is almost over for us and so far i'm still doing fine!




Mentionable things from the recent few weeks have been:
-having Anna and Kirstin come out for a weekend
--Showing Kirstin Homer once again
-having my family come out for presidents day weekend
-dissecting out the lungs, heart, guts, in the last few weekds
-being almost done with dissecting (i like muscles more than innerds)
-having my posture looked at by the class (my feet collapse in, my knees hyperextend, my right shoulder blade wings out, i have week right back muscles)
-learning how to guess someone's handedness by their posture
-saying goodbye to snow
-having a day in the high 50s
-designing sweet tshirts for my class

In the next 2 weeks:
-Neuro test on Thursday
-Last day of dissection: Pelvic region (apparently our prof is going to saw right down the middle of the pelvis so we can see the orientation of the reproductive/digestive system coming out... GROSS!!!)
-possibly the first day Ana barfs in Cadaver lab
-Cocktail party at Karen's (I get to wear the bridesmaid dress from Kirstin's wedding... YAY!)
-big project due March 5th (PT on Trial... this debate thing... could be fun or horrifying)
-Christopher Williams concert March 6th
-Clinical practical and written March 9th

Finals week is March 19th - 23rd
Spring Break is the last week of march
Keep your calendars open! I'm coming home!!!!

i miss seattle... bring me my rain ;)

better late than never

So I realize that its been pushing 2 months since i last blogged. That's horrible of me, and i've been thinking about it for the past few days that I should AT LEAST update everyone to my current happenings. So i've devoted the next 20 minutes to do that.

Last quarter flew by just like I expected it to! I made it through unscathed, and got a very comfortable grade, which makes me expect to be able to continue on in the program indefinitely (or at least until June 2009).

This quarter is starting up just as rapidly as the last. We just started our third week of class, the last week before a series of tests starts up. So far I've gotten a lot of my fun out. The first weekend a few friends and I went out to Entiat with my family. We went sledding and got bruised up, definitely ate and drank to our hearts content. Last weekend I went skiing with some girls from my class and a couple of second years. We had a complete ball and I really want to go again. Its too bad that we don't have another "free weekend" (that is, one without tests right after it) for about 3 weeks, but when one comes I"M THERE!

Now we are looking to what will be a slough of really hard tests. I am in the midst of what everyone is telling us is "the hardest quarter of the program". We are taking Neuroscience, Functional and Clincal Anatomy, Diagnosis in Pathology, and then a couple of Seminar classes. The first four are definitely going to keep all of us busy, the seminars are going to give us enough busy work to drive all of us over the edge. This is where having a good balance of studies and play time becomes really important.


Notable moments from this quarter thusfar include:
-Watching my professor saw a face in half (right down the middle)(the picture is of everyone's reactions to it... sorry, no visible gore here)
-Knowing almost everything for my Neuroscience class (YAY FOR MY MAJOR!!!)
-Becoming one of the "Social Secretaries" for my class (that means I get to plan all of the parties)
-Playing Ultimate in 6" of fresh snow